Get you up to speed: Trump dispatches ‘impressive hospital ship’ to Greenland for medical aid
Donald Trump announced plans to send a hospital boat to Greenland while working with Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry. The U.S. Navy operates two hospital ships, Mercy and Comfort, which provide disaster and humanitarian relief.
Donald Trump announced plans to send a hospital boat to Greenland, stating it is to address the needs of people who are sick, according to a post on Truth Social. In response, Danish Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen told DR that the ship was not needed, as “the Greenlandic population receives the healthcare it needs.”
As of now, Denmark’s Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen stated that a hospital ship was not needed, indicating that “the Greenlandic population receives the healthcare it needs.” There have been no further developments or comments from the White House or Governor Jeff Landry regarding the logistics of sending the hospital boat.
What we know so far
Trump sending ‘great hospital boat’ to Greenland to ‘take care of the sick’
Donald Trump has said he is sending a “great hospital boat” to Greenland, the semi-autonomous Danish territory he wants to acquire.
The US president threatened, at one point, to take the Arctic island by force in the interests of “national security”.
However, in late January he announced “the framework of a future deal” on Greenland and its security following talks with NATO secretary general Mark Rutte.
Nato chief: ‘Having US in room with Greenland is added value’
Now, Mr Trump has claimed he is sending a boat to “take care of the many people who are sick” in Greenland, which has a universal public healthcare system.
He announced the plan at a dinner for Republican governors at the White House.
Mr Trump posted on Truth Social: “Working with the fantastic Governor of Louisiana, Jeff Landry, we are going to send a great hospital boat to Greenland to take care of the many people who are sick, and not being taken care of there. It’s on the way!!!”
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry reposted Mr Trump’s message on X – and added: “Thank you, President [Trump]! Proud to work with you on this important issue!”
The US Navy has two hospital ships, the Mercy and the Comfort, which support forces on deployments and provide disaster and humanitarian relief.
The White House and Mr Landry’s office have not made any further comment on the post – or revealed whether the ship had been requested by Denmark or Greenland.
Image: Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. File pic: AP
Denmark’s prime minister, Mette Frederiksen, said in a Facebook post on Sunday that she was “happy to live in a country where there is free and equal access to health for all. Where it’s not insurance and wealth that determine whether you get proper treatment”.
“You have the same approach in Greenland.”
Aaja Chemnitz, one of the two Greenlandic politicians in the Danish parliament, wrote on Facebook: “Donald Trump wants to send a hospital ship to Greenland.
“It seems rather desperate, and does not contribute to the permanent and sustainable strengthening of the healthcare system that we need.”
Denmark maintains control of the territory’s foreign affairs and defence.
Troels Lund Poulsen, the country’s defence minister, told Danish broadcaster DR on Sunday that the ship was not needed.
“The Greenlandic population receives the healthcare it needs,” said Mr Poulsen.
Mr Trump’s post came hours after Denmark’s Joint Arctic Command said it had evacuated a crew member of a US submarine off the coast of Greenland after the person needed medical treatment.
The submariner was retrieved by a Danish Seahawk helicopter that had been deployed on an inspection ship.