Trump shares private messages on Greenland, escalating tensions ahead of Davos summit
TOI GLOBAL | Jan 20, 2026, 20:54 IST
President Donald Trump has shared screenshots of private messages with world leaders about Greenland, intensifying diplomatic tensions ahead of the World Economic Forum in Davos and drawing concern from European allies.
US President Donald Trump has publicly shared screenshots of what he says are private messages with foreign leaders about Greenland, reigniting controversy over his repeated calls for the United States to acquire the Arctic island just days before global leaders gather for the World Economic Forum in Davos.
In a flurry of late-night social media posts on Monday, Trump released images of text exchanges with senior international figures and doubled down on his argument that Greenland is critical to US national security. The move, unusual in diplomatic practice, risks further straining relations with European allies as Trump prepares to travel to Switzerland for the high-profile meetings.
One screenshot posted by Trump showed a message from French President Emmanuel Macron, which a source close to the French leader confirmed as authentic. In the message, Macron questioned Trump’s approach, writing: “I do not understand what you are doing on Greenland,” while noting that the two leaders were otherwise aligned on issues such as Syria and Iran. Macron also suggested convening a meeting with G7 leaders after Davos and invited Trump to dinner in Paris.
Trump also shared a separate screenshot that he said was from NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. In the message, Rutte appeared to praise Trump and expressed a willingness to find “a way forward on Greenland.” Trump later said he had held a “very good telephone call” with Rutte and that discussions would continue with “the various parties” during the Davos meetings. CNN reported it could not independently verify the message and said it had contacted NATO for comment.
In another post, Trump broadened the issue by criticizing the United Kingdom’s decision to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius while retaining joint US-UK control of the Diego Garcia military base. Trump described the move as “an act of GREAT STUPIDITY” and cited it as further evidence, in his view, of why Greenland must be brought under US control for security reasons.
The public disclosure of private communications has raised concerns among diplomats about trust and protocol, particularly as the dispute over Greenland has become a growing point of friction between Washington and European capitals. Denmark has repeatedly stated that Greenland is not for sale, a position backed by the European Union.
On Monday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she had discussed the escalating dispute with a visiting US congressional delegation in Davos. She emphasized that Greenland’s sovereignty, as well as Denmark’s territorial integrity, remains non-negotiable under international law.
Trump’s renewed push comes at a sensitive moment, with global leaders set to converge in Switzerland amid broader geopolitical tensions over security, trade and military cooperation. While Trump has framed his interest in Greenland as strategic and economic, European leaders have increasingly viewed the rhetoric — and now the release of private messages — as destabilizing.
As Trump heads to Davos, the Greenland issue appears poised to dominate behind-the-scenes diplomacy, testing alliances at a forum traditionally focused on cooperation and economic dialogue.
In a flurry of late-night social media posts on Monday, Trump released images of text exchanges with senior international figures and doubled down on his argument that Greenland is critical to US national security. The move, unusual in diplomatic practice, risks further straining relations with European allies as Trump prepares to travel to Switzerland for the high-profile meetings.
One screenshot posted by Trump showed a message from French President Emmanuel Macron, which a source close to the French leader confirmed as authentic. In the message, Macron questioned Trump’s approach, writing: “I do not understand what you are doing on Greenland,” while noting that the two leaders were otherwise aligned on issues such as Syria and Iran. Macron also suggested convening a meeting with G7 leaders after Davos and invited Trump to dinner in Paris.
Trump also shared a separate screenshot that he said was from NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. In the message, Rutte appeared to praise Trump and expressed a willingness to find “a way forward on Greenland.” Trump later said he had held a “very good telephone call” with Rutte and that discussions would continue with “the various parties” during the Davos meetings. CNN reported it could not independently verify the message and said it had contacted NATO for comment.
In another post, Trump broadened the issue by criticizing the United Kingdom’s decision to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius while retaining joint US-UK control of the Diego Garcia military base. Trump described the move as “an act of GREAT STUPIDITY” and cited it as further evidence, in his view, of why Greenland must be brought under US control for security reasons.
The public disclosure of private communications has raised concerns among diplomats about trust and protocol, particularly as the dispute over Greenland has become a growing point of friction between Washington and European capitals. Denmark has repeatedly stated that Greenland is not for sale, a position backed by the European Union.
On Monday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she had discussed the escalating dispute with a visiting US congressional delegation in Davos. She emphasized that Greenland’s sovereignty, as well as Denmark’s territorial integrity, remains non-negotiable under international law.
Trump’s renewed push comes at a sensitive moment, with global leaders set to converge in Switzerland amid broader geopolitical tensions over security, trade and military cooperation. While Trump has framed his interest in Greenland as strategic and economic, European leaders have increasingly viewed the rhetoric — and now the release of private messages — as destabilizing.
As Trump heads to Davos, the Greenland issue appears poised to dominate behind-the-scenes diplomacy, testing alliances at a forum traditionally focused on cooperation and economic dialogue.