Staff Reports
Once upon a time, there was a snowy land called Greenland that seemed to be the apple of America’s eye. The buzz began when President Trump’s administration expressed a desire to acquire Greenland from Denmark. The proposal wasn’t outrageous to some of America’s leaders; after all, the United States had indulged in a little retail therapy before, purchasing Alaska and the Virgin Islands. Even though President Trump promised not to turn Greenland into a giant golf course or a casino, everybody couldn’t help but imagine the possibilities.
Enter Mike Pompeo, Secretary of State, who assured everyone that there was no imminent military invasion on the horizon. The plan was to buy Greenland, not conquer it as rumored. Pompeo highlighted Greenland’s strategic significance, reminding Americans of the Monroe Doctrine. Greenland was on the American stage, not European, and certainly not China or Russia’s. Denmark found itself in an unexpected position—its frosty gem now a topic of grown-up bartering games.
Amid all the serious talks of acquiring Greenland, there was a jokey atmosphere too. The idea of Trump erecting a flashy new snow-worthy empire was enough to make some chuckle. Greenland, a potential new state, would bask in the glory of American benefits, NASCAR, Kid Rock, and barbecue, as proponents enthusiastically pointed out. Some folks even fantasized about paying each Greenlander $1 million, endowing them with U.S. citizenship as part of the deal. Not a bad sell, if you’re into burgers over Danish pastries.
Europe’s unlikely cast members—the EU troops—were rumored to practice drills in Greenland. Yet on the home front, some Americans couldn’t help but make fun of Denmark’s claim. The joke went that Greenlanders weren’t too keen on staying under Danish rule considering a troubled history, and more than ever, the idea of adopting the stars and stripes seemed appealing.
So, the comedy played out on a serious stage: Would Greenland become the 51st state? Despite the humorous tone, there was quite real geopolitical intrigue. With reasonable odds tossed around for both buying and jokingly invading Greenland, the world watched this ice-cold drama unfold. What remains is the tale of a powerful country eyeing an icy prize, reminding everyone that in politics, sometimes the wildest dreams capture the limelight, even if they start with a tweet.
