US President Donald Trump announced on Saturday his collaboration with Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry to dispatch a hospital vessel to Greenland, a Danish territory that Trump has expressed interest in acquiring. This initiative was revealed on social media just before Trump hosted a dinner for Republican governors at the White House, during which he engaged in conversation with Governor Landry.
In his statement, Trump declared, “Working alongside the exceptional Governor of Louisiana, Jeff Landry, we are mobilizing a top-notch hospital boat to Greenland to attend to the numerous ailing individuals who are currently lacking adequate care. The vessel is en route!”
Neither the White House nor Governor Landry’s office provided responses to inquiries regarding the announcement, including whether the ship had been formally requested by Denmark or Greenland, and which specific individuals in need of medical assistance were being targeted. The Department of War refrained from immediate commentary on the matter.
Recently, Danish King Frederik made his second visit to Greenland within a year as part of efforts to demonstrate solidarity with the territory amidst Trump’s interest in purchasing the island. Discussions involving Greenland, Denmark, and the US were held at the end of last month to address ongoing tensions within the NATO defense alliance.
Trump’s social media update coincided with Denmark’s Joint Arctic Command’s evacuation of a crew member requiring urgent medical attention from a US submarine in Greenland’s waters, located seven nautical miles outside Nuuk, Greenland’s capital. The extent of Governor Landry’s involvement in this incident remains uncertain, as does any potential connection between the evacuation and Trump’s announcement.
While the US Navy operates two hospital ships, the Mercy and the Comfort, neither are based in Louisiana.
