Speaking for over an hour, Trump called the idea of acquiring Greenland from Denmark a “small ask,” and questioned past U.S. decisions. “After World War Two, we gave Greenland back to Denmark,” he said. “How stupid were we to do that?”
However, Greenland never belonged to the United States. A 1933 international court ruling affirmed Denmark's sovereignty. While the U.S. established bases on the island during WWII under a mutual defense agreement, it did not involve a transfer of ownership.
Trump also sharply criticized NATO, claiming the U.S. was “paying for virtually 100%” of the alliance and that member states had gone from contributing 2% of GDP to 5%. In reality, U.S. defense spending made up about 62% of total NATO defense expenditure in 2025, and no member currently spends 5% of GDP, though some aim to reach that level by 2035. Poland is the closest, at just under 4.5%.
“The United States has never gotten anything from NATO,” Trump added. But after the 9/11 attacks, NATO invoked its collective defense clause for the first and only time, sending troops—including from Denmark—to Afghanistan.
On energy, Trump ridiculed wind power as part of a “new green scam,” claiming China had no wind farms despite manufacturing turbines. In fact, China leads the world in wind energy production, generating nearly 1,000 terawatt-hours in 2024, with massive installations such as the Gansu Wind Farm.
Trump also criticized the UK’s energy taxation, claiming it takes “92% of the revenues” from North Sea oil. In reality, combined taxes reach 78%—applied to profits, not revenue—including a temporary windfall tax.
On investment, Trump asserted his administration had secured "USD 18 trillion" in commitments. However, public data shows confirmed investments closer to USD 9.6 trillion, including a USD 1.4 trillion pledge from the United Arab Emirates that remains in early stages.
Critics have challenged the accuracy of many of Trump’s claims. “The whole thing is tethered to a galaxy far, far away,” said Aaron David Miller, a former U.S. Middle East negotiator, referring to the broader disconnect between Trump's rhetoric and policy outcomes.
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Source: BBC, PAP