President Donald Trump said he is dispatching a U.S. hospital ship to Greenland, the Danish territory he has repeatedly expressed interest in acquiring, stating that the vessel will provide medical care to residents in need.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote, “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!!! President DJT.” Landry is serving as the president’s special envoy to Greenland.
Earlier in the day, Danish military officials disclosed in a Facebook statement that they had assisted with a medical emergency involving U.S. personnel. In a post translated into English, Danish forces said they had “evacuated a crew member from an American submarine.”
“The crew member needed urgent medical treatment and has been transferred to the Greenlandic health authorities and the hospital in Nuuk,” the statement added.
The Hill sought comment from both the White House and the office of Denmark’s prime minister regarding the developments.
In recent months, Trump has intensified his calls for the United States to acquire Greenland, a stance that has created friction with allied nations such as Denmark, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
Trump has argued that control of Greenland would be strategically important, citing its relevance to his proposed “Golden Dome” missile defense system and contending that American ownership would counter Russian and Chinese activity in the Arctic.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen appeared to allude to the medical evacuation in her own Facebook message on Sunday, while also drawing a contrast with the American healthcare model.
“Am happy to live in a country where there is free and equal access to health for all. Where it’s not insurances and wealth that determine whether you get proper treatment. You have the same approach in Greenland,” she said in a translated post, according to Facebook.
{Matzav.com}