In a move that seems straight out of a political satire, former President Donald Trump is still determined to acquire Greenland. Now, instead of threats or diplomatic pressure, he is reportedly pursuing a more seductive strategy: offering an annual basic income to every Greenlandic citizen. What’s curious is not just the offer itself, but who would finance it—and what other plans it might be connected to.
According to the New York Times, Trump is considering a proposal to provide an annual basic income of approximately $10,000 per person, replacing the $600 million in subsidies currently provided by Denmark. The idea is that this initial investment would be offset by the future exploitation of valuable natural resources in Greenland, such as rare minerals, copper, gold, uranium, and oil.
Ironically, while millions of Americans have been advocating for a universal basic income to combat inequality and economic precariousness, the Trump administration appears to have considered applying that model—not in the U.S. but on a remote Arctic island, funded by American taxpayers. This move seems at odds with Trump’s campaign promise to reduce public spending.
But the plans extend beyond just the economic aspect. There is a growing interest—linked to figures from Silicon Valley—in transforming Greenland into a testing ground for radical urban projects known as "freedom cities." These would be communities designed to operate without traditional state regulations, prioritizing innovation, private profit, and minimal government intervention.
Ken Howery, former U.S. ambassador to Sweden and co-founder of PayPal, is reportedly leading this initiative. Howery, who has been proposed by Trump for the ambassadorship in Denmark, is allegedly involved in negotiations to acquire Greenland and has had preliminary discussions about using the island as a technology development center. Projects mentioned include artificial intelligence, autonomous vehicles, space launches, nuclear microreactors, and high-speed trains.
This ambitious vision aligns with a movement known as the Network State Movement, which seeks to build private cities based on cryptocurrencies and free from traditional democratic systems. Peter Thiel, a close friend of Howery and a proponent of these ideas, has been identified as a principal funder of the movement, although a spokesperson denied any connection to the plans in Greenland.
Trump’s proposal goes far beyond a simple territorial purchase. With annual payments, resource exploitation, and regulatory-free technological dreams, Greenland appears to have become the ideal stage for a mix of political, economic, and utopian ambitions that until recently existed only in science fiction.
On a darker note, the push for Greenland has also ignited tensions within the U.S. military. Colonel Susannah Meyers, who was the commander of the 821st Space Base Group at Pituffik Space Base, was abruptly removed from her position on April 10, 2025. The U.S. Space Force cited a "loss of confidence in her leadership abilities" as the reason for her dismissal.
Meyers's "crime" was expressing disagreement in an email to her staff regarding Vice President J.D. Vance's statements during his visit in late March. Vance suggested that Greenland should free itself from "Danish rule," implying that the U.S. was ready to take control of the territory. In her email, Meyers attempted to quell the diplomatic fire, stating, "I do not claim to fully understand the current political landscape, but I can assert that the concerns raised by Vice President Vance do not represent the feelings of this base." This statement ultimately cost her career.
The Pentagon's response was swift and ruthless. Sean Parnell, the chief spokesperson for the Pentagon, declared on social media that "actions that compromise the chain of command or subvert President Trump's agenda will not be tolerated." This message was crystal clear for anyone in the military considering deviating from the official line.
Colonel Kenneth Klock, commander of Space Base Delta 1 in Colorado Springs, quickly appointed Colonel Shawn Lee as Meyers's replacement, effectively erasing years of her service. This dismissal highlights the increasing tensions surrounding U.S. ambitions for Greenland. Trump has repeatedly expressed his desire to acquire the island, describing it as an essential strategic asset. Denmark continues to firmly oppose any annexation attempts, while a growing independence sentiment among Greenlanders does not necessarily favor the United States.
The new Trump administration appears determined to build a military command structure that is loyal and aligned with its controversial foreign policy moves. For those in uniform, the message is clear: in this new era, dissent is not tolerated, even when it comes to managing international diplomatic tensions. In the age of Trump 2.0, even a simple email can turn into a career-ending weapon.
As Greenland continues to capture the attention of global powers, its future remains uncertain. The island, rich in resources but still underdeveloped economically, is focusing on sustainable tourism in hopes of achieving independence from Denmark one day. Alarm bells are ringing in Copenhagen and the European Union as they watch the developments unfold.
In summary, the combination of economic incentives, potential technological utopias, and military loyalty tests paints a complex picture of America's ambitions for Greenland. As the situation evolves, it will be crucial to monitor how these plans develop and what they mean for both Greenland and the broader geopolitical landscape.
