US President Donald Trump revealed plans to collaborate with Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry to dispatch a hospital boat to Greenland, a territory claimed by Denmark that Trump has expressed interest in acquiring. The announcement was made on social media just before Trump hosted a dinner for Republican governors at the White House, where he engaged in discussions with Governor Landry.
In his statement, Trump stated, “Teaming up with the outstanding Governor of Louisiana, Jeff Landry, we are coordinating the deployment of a top-notch hospital boat to Greenland to provide medical assistance to those in need. It’s en route!” Neither the White House nor Governor Landry’s office provided immediate responses to inquiries regarding the post, the origin of the ship request, or the specific individuals requiring medical aid. The Department of Defense did not offer any immediate comments.
Denmark’s King Frederik made a second trip to Greenland within a year as a show of solidarity with the territory amidst Trump’s interest in purchasing it. Recent discussions among Greenland, Denmark, and the US aimed to address tensions within the NATO defense alliance.
Trump’s social media update followed a report from Denmark’s Joint Arctic Command, which detailed the evacuation of a critically ill crew member from a US submarine in Greenland’s waters, near Nuuk, Greenland’s capital. The connection between Governor Landry and the evacuation incident, as well as any correlation to Trump’s post, remained unclear.
While the US Navy possesses two hospital ships, the Mercy and Comfort, neither are currently stationed in Louisiana.