Trump announces sending hospital ship to Greenland, sparking a wave of reactions in Denmark and Greenland
US President Donald Trump announced via his Truth Social platform his intention to send a “large hospital ship” to Greenland, sparking widespread political and professional reactions in Denmark and Greenland, at a time when no official body has confirmed that the ship is actually on its way.
Trump posts AI-generated image and confirms ship is "on the way"“
In a late-night post, Trump said he would work with Louisiana Governor and U.S. Special Envoy to Greenland Jeff Landry to send a “large hospital ship” to Greenland, saying it would take care of “many sick people who are not being taken care of there,” and confirming that the ship was “on the way.”.
Trump accompanied his post with an AI-generated image showing a ship named USNS Mercy sailing toward a snow-covered mountain landscape with the American flag flying. Sources indicated that it remains unclear whether there are actual plans to send the ship, or what specific mission it would undertake.
The Danish government denies any knowledge of a plan
Sources quoted Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen as saying that the government was unaware of any plans to send a US hospital ship to Greenland. He emphasized that Greenlanders receive the healthcare they need on the island and can also receive specialized treatment in Denmark when necessary.
The minister said that “the people of Greenland are getting the health care they need, and there is no need for a special health effort from abroad,” stressing that the Greenland government is handling the task within the framework of the kingdom.
Mette Frederiksen affirms the principle of free treatment
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen commented on social media, without mentioning Trump by name, writing that she was “happy to live in a country where everyone has free and equal access to healthcare,” where neither insurance nor wealth determines who receives proper treatment. She added that “the same approach is in place in Greenland.”.
Economics professor: Criticism gives a misleading picture.
TV2 quoted Professor Emeritus of Economics Kjeld Müller-Pedersen as saying that Trump's description of Greenland's healthcare system as leaving patients without treatment was "misleading." Pedersen, who previously served as vice-chair of Greenland's Health Commission, explained that a report published in May 2024 concluded that the healthcare system was under pressure due to staffing shortages.
He said the biggest challenge is the persistent staff shortage, as many employees stay for short periods, while few settle permanently. He noted that patients requiring specialized treatment are referred to Denmark.
The nurses' union describes the move as provocative.
Sources reported that the head of the Danish Nurses Association, Dorte Boe Danborg, described Trump's announcement as an "unnecessary provocation" to healthcare workers in the Kingdom. She emphasized in a statement that any special support would be handled within the Kingdom and by personnel familiar with the local conditions, "not through an American hospital ship.".
Reporter in Washington: Greenland is still on Trump's mind
The Danish broadcaster DR's correspondent in the United States said Trump's post shows that Greenland is still on his mind, adding that the issue hasn't disappeared, even if the diplomatic process seems quieter now. He emphasized that what has been said so far is nothing more than a social media post, with no clarity regarding actual implementation.
Security correspondent: US interest continues
A correspondent specializing in defense affairs explained that the announcement reflects Trump's continued interest in Greenland, noting that such messages may be used to keep the issue in the public discourse, even though Greenland's health system provides treatment for free.
American ships docked in Alabama
According to CNN and MarineTraffic data, the U.S. Navy owns two hospital ships, the USNS Mercy and the USNS Comfort, which are used to support troops and humanitarian operations. However, tracking data showed the two ships docked in Mobile, Alabama.
The newspaper also quoted journalist Dave Brown of the Wall Street Journal as saying that the two ships are currently out of service due to maintenance work, and that the White House did not respond to the newspaper's inquiries, while the Pentagon referred the questions to the US Northern Command, which in turn returned them to the White House.
USNS Mercy ship capabilities
Sources, citing Military Sealift Command and Vesselfinder, explained that the USNS Mercy has 1,000 beds, 80 intensive care beds, and 11 operating rooms, and can accommodate approximately 1,300 crew members. It can also produce 7,000 meals daily and about 757,000 liters of water. The ship was originally built as an oil tanker before being converted into a hospital ship and entering service in 1986.
American sailor evacuated to Knock hospital
Trump's announcement came after the evacuation of a crew member from a US submarine off Nuuk, who was airlifted by a helicopter from the Arctic Command to Greenlandic health authorities for urgent treatment, while Danish officials confirmed that the local health system was handling emergency cases.
While the political and media debate continues, the issue of sending an American hospital ship to Greenland remains without official confirmation, amid conflicting information regarding the readiness of American ships, according to Danish and American sources.
