President Donald Trump announced Saturday he is sending a hospital ship to Greenland, a move that comes amid ongoing U.S. Interest in the self-governing Danish territory and follows the recent evacuation of a U.S. Submariner requiring urgent medical attention. The announcement was made via a social media post, stating the ship would “take care of the many people who are sick, and not being taken care of there.”
Trump stated he is working with Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, recently appointed as his special envoy to Greenland in December, on the effort. “Working with the fantastic Governor of Louisiana, Jeff Landry, we are going to send a great hospital boat to Greenland,” Trump wrote. “It’s on the way!!!” Landry subsequently reposted Trump’s message, expressing his pride in collaborating on the “important issue.”
The U.S. Navy operates two hospital ships, the USNS Mercy and the USNS Comfort, typically used to support troops and provide disaster relief and humanitarian aid. The USNS Comfort was deployed to New York City during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
The timing of the announcement coincides with Denmark’s Joint Arctic Command’s confirmation that it evacuated a U.S. Submarine crew member needing urgent medical care from waters near Greenland’s capital, Nuuk. It remains unclear whether Trump’s announcement is related to this specific incident.
The move also occurs against a backdrop of heightened U.S. Interest in Greenland, which is strategically located and mineral-rich. Trump has previously expressed a desire to acquire the territory, prompting tensions with Denmark. Greenland and Denmark both maintain free, nationalized health care systems, raising questions about the necessity of the proposed deployment.
Requests for comment from the White House, the Danish Embassy in Washington, Landry’s office, the Danish government, and Greenland’s parliament have not yet been answered. The Pentagon referred inquiries to US Northern Command, which then directed them to the U.S. Navy, who have not immediately responded.
