US could offer $10,000–$100,000 to each residents for Greenland

In a dramatic escalation of his long-standing ambition to acquire the world’s largest island, President Donald Trump has reportedly authorized aides to discuss a direct financial incentive for the people of Greenland.⁵ According to sources cited by Reuters and The New York Times, the administration is considering one-time payments ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 per person to encourage a break from Danish sovereignty.⁶

With a population of approximately 57,000, the total cost of these direct payments would reach nearly $6 billion—a figure the White House views as a “bargain” compared to the strategic value of the island’s mineral wealth and Arctic positioning.⁷

The “Greenland Buyout” Strategy

The proposal shifts the focus from a state-to-state real estate deal to a “grassroots” secession effort. The strategy involves:

• Direct Cash Incentives: Targeting the economic anxieties of the local population to build pro-US sentiment.⁸
• Compact of Free Association: Offering a relationship similar to those with Palau or Micronesia, where the US provides defense and aid in exchange for military rights.⁹
• National Security Priority: Trump has labeled Greenland a “must-have” to deter Russian and Chinese influence in the Arctic, mocking Denmark’s current defense efforts as inadequate.¹⁰

Reaction: “Not For Sale”

The proposal has been met with fierce resistance from both Nuuk (Greenland’s capital) and Copenhagen.¹¹

1. Greenland’s Prime Minister: Jens-Frederik Nielsen took to social media to state, “Enough is enough.¹² No more fantasies about annexation.”
2. Denmark’s Stance: Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned that any US attempt to seize Greenland by force or coercion would signify the “end of NATO.”¹³
3. European Solidarity: Leaders from France, the UK, and Germany issued a joint declaration on January 6, 2026, affirming that “Greenland belongs to its people” and rejecting US interference.¹⁴

The Financial Logic vs. Geopolitical Reality

Why Now?

The timing follows a period of heightened US military activity, including the recent high-profile operation in Venezuela.¹⁵ Administration officials, including Stephen Miller, have publicly questioned Denmark’s territorial claim, calling it a “colony” and suggesting that US control is inevitable for Arctic security.¹⁶

“We need Greenland from the standpoint of national security… Denmark isn’t going to be able to do it.” — President Donald Trump, January 2026