How Greenland is embracing Maga, Make America Go Away

As US President Donald Trump continues to threaten Greenland, its citizens are embracing a new slogan: Maga – Make America Go Away.

Trump has repeatedly claimed Greenland is vital to US security because of its strategic Arctic location and vast mineral deposits. He has not ruled out using force to take the island from Denmark, a fellow NATO member, and has even threatened tariffs on European nations as part of his pressure campaign.

European nations have responded by deploying soldiers to Greenland and vowing retaliatory tariffs. Meanwhile, people in Denmark and Greenland have taken to the streets in protest.

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Let’s take a closer look:

Protests in Denmark, Greenland

According to reports, thousands of people marched against Trump’s quest for Greenland. The Independent reported that at least 10,000 Danes gathered at Copenhagen’s City Hall Square. Many wore red hats reading “Make America Go Away”, a pointed parody of Trump’s ‘Make America Great Again’ caps. Some hats also carried the slogan “Nu det NUUK” — a reference to Greenland’s capital, meaning “Now it’s enough”. The hats have reportedly sold out in Greenland.

Protesters chanted “Greenland is not for sale” and waved banners reading “Hands off Greenland”, alongside Danish and Greenlandic flags.

“We have to support Greenland. We are Danes, Greenlanders are part of the Danish realm, and we have to stick together,” protester Susanne Kristensen told NBC News. She added that she would not visit the United States while Trump remains in office.

Another protester, Almind, a 57-year-old military veteran, said he had never demonstrated before but felt compelled to act. “I’ve actually never done this before, but this is very important to me,” he said. Reflecting on Denmark’s past military cooperation with the US in Afghanistan and Iraq, he added: “Looking back, you have to ask yourself, was it all worth it?”

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In Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, Malik Dollerup-Scheibel attended what police described as the largest protest the city has ever seen, drawing nearly a quarter of Nuuk’s population. “I thought this day couldn’t get any worse, but it just did,” he said. “It shows he has no remorse for any kind of human being.”

Across the Danish realm — including Copenhagen and even Nunavut in northern Canada — solidarity marches were held. Danish protester Elise Riechie, holding Danish and Greenlandic flags, said: “There are many small countries. None of them are for sale.”

In Nuuk, Greenlanders of all ages marched to the consulate, listening to traditional songs. Marie Pedersen, a 47-year-old Greenlander, said she brought her children to show them they are allowed to speak up. Her nine-year-old daughter, Alaska, carried a handmade sign reading “Greenland is not for sale”. She said her teachers had explained Nato and taught them how to stand up to bullying — “even by another country”.

Tom Olsen, a police officer in Nuuk, said it was the biggest protest he had ever seen there. “I hope it shows that we stand together in Europe. We are not going down without a fight.”

Louise Lennert Olsen, a 40-year-old Greenlandic nurse, said her message was for the American people rather than Trump himself. “I hope they will support our wish to remain Greenland as we are now. I hope they will stand against their own president. I can’t believe they would just watch and do nothing.”

Others echoed the sentiment. “Greenland is not a toy. This is our home,” said civil servant Naja Holm. Julie Rademacher, chair of an organisation for Greenlanders in Denmark, added: “We are sending a message to the world that you must wake up.”

Greenland and US politicos react

Tillie Martinussen, a former Greenlandic MP, said she hoped the Trump administration would abandon what she called a “crazy idea”. She noted that US officials initially presented themselves as allies wanting to improve Greenland’s prospects, but were now openly issuing threats. She added that preserving NATO unity and Greenland’s autonomy mattered more than fears of tariffs, though she did not dismiss the potential economic impact.

The protests coincided with a visit by nearly a dozen US lawmakers. Democratic Senator Chris Coons said the delegation had come mainly to listen, adding that people in Denmark and Greenland were deeply anxious about statements from the White House, which he described as “not constructive”.

Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski warned against allowing the issue to become partisan. “We must keep this from becoming a partisan matter,” she said. “That requires education, dismissing false assumptions, and acting together.”

Trump’s repeated statements about acquiring Greenland have triggered a diplomatic crisis between the US and Denmark, both founding NATO members, and have been widely condemned across Europe.

Greenland, home to about 57,000 people, has enjoyed growing autonomy since 1979 but remains part of Denmark, which controls defence and foreign policy and funds much of the administration. Around 17,000 Greenlanders live in Denmark.

While all parties in Greenland’s parliament ultimately favour independence, they disagree on timing — and have recently stated they would rather remain part of Denmark than join the United States.

A Reuters/Ipsos poll found only 17 per cent of Americans support Trump’s efforts to acquire Greenland, with large majorities across both parties opposing the use of military force. Trump dismissed the poll as “fake”.

With inputs from agencies