Trump sending 'great hospital boat' to Greenland to 'take care of the sick'

Donald Trump has said he is sending a "great hospital boat" to Greenland, the semi-autonomous Danish territory he wants to acquire.

The US president threatened, at one point, to take the Arctic island by force in the interests of "national security".

However, in late January he announced "the framework of a future deal" on Greenland and its security following talks with NATO secretary general Mark Rutte.

Now, Mr Trump has claimed he is sending a boat to "take care of the many people who are sick" in Greenland, which has a universal public healthcare system.

He announced the plan at a dinner for Republican governors at the White House.

Mr Trump posted on Truth Social: "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!!!"

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry reposted Mr Trump's message on X - and added: "Thank you, President [Trump]! Proud to work with you on this important issue!"

The US Navy has two hospital ships, the Mercy and the Comfort, which support forces on deployments and provide disaster and humanitarian relief.

The White House and ⁠Mr Landry's office have not made any further comment on the post - or revealed whether the ship had been requested by Denmark ‌or Greenland.

Denmark's prime minister, Mette Frederiksen, said in a Facebook post on Sunday that she was "happy to live in a country where there is free and equal access to health for all. Where it's not insurance and wealth that determine whether you get proper treatment".

"You have the same approach in Greenland."

Aaja Chemnitz, one of the two Greenlandic politicians in the Danish parliament, wrote on Facebook: "Donald Trump wants to send a hospital ship to Greenland.

"It seems rather desperate, and does not contribute to the permanent and sustainable strengthening of the healthcare system that we need."

Read more:
NATO starts mission to strengthen presence in Arctic
Why Trump has insisted the US 'needs' Greenland

Denmark maintains control of the territory's foreign affairs and defence.

Troels Lund Poulsen, the country's defence minister, told Danish broadcaster DR on Sunday that the ship was not needed.

"The Greenlandic population receives the healthcare it needs," said Mr Poulsen.

Mr Trump's post came hours after Denmark's Joint Arctic ​Command said it had evacuated a crew member of a US submarine off the coast of Greenland after the person needed medical treatment.

The submariner was retrieved by a Danish Seahawk helicopter that had been deployed on an inspection ship.

(c) Sky News 2026: Trump sending 'great hospital boat' to Greenland to 'take care of the sick'