Donald Trump Jr.’s recent visit to Nuuk, Greenland, has sparked controversy after claims emerged that some of the attendees at his lunch event were homeless people lured by the promise of free food. This incident occurred against the backdrop of his father’s renewed interest in acquiring the Danish-controlled territory.
Free Lunch and MAGA Hats
Trump Jr. hosted a lunch at Hotel Hans Egede, where a group of about 15 people, some wearing “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) caps, shared a traditional Greenlandic meal featuring fish and caribou. During the event, Trump Jr. called his father, who spoke to the attendees via speakerphone, telling them, “We’re going to treat you well.”
However, the hotel’s chief executive, Jørgen Bay-Kastrup, claimed that the guests were not Trump supporters. According to him, many were homeless individuals invited off the street by Trump Jr.’s team without realizing who their host was. “They had just met them in the street and invited them for lunch,” Bay-Kastrup explained. “I don’t think they knew who they were inviting.”
He added that the attendees were not regular hotel patrons, as the establishment is typically beyond their financial reach. “It was strange to see people here we’ve never seen before—and likely will never see again.”
Denials and Mixed Reactions
A spokesperson for Trump Jr. dismissed the allegations as “beyond the pale ridiculous.” Arthur Schwartz, a political operative and friend of Trump Jr., strongly denied the claims, saying it was absurd to suggest that Trump Jr. had intentionally invited homeless people to lunch. He noted that cameras followed Trump Jr. throughout his visit and would have captured such actions if they had occurred.
In the days following the event, individuals wearing MAGA hats and carrying American flags were seen distributing $100 bills near a Nuuk supermarket, reportedly filming the activity. A Greenlandic newspaper, Sermitsiaq, quoted a local man, Jacob Nordstrøm, who said his 11-year-old son received a $100 bill from an adult stranger. Nordstrøm described the incident as “borderline shocking.” Another individual reportedly stomped on a MAGA cap in protest.
Greenland’s Stance on U.S. Interest
Trump Jr.’s visit coincided with his father’s controversial remarks about acquiring Greenland. President Trump has previously suggested using military or economic measures to purchase the island, sparking backlash from Greenland and Denmark. Both have reiterated that Greenland is not for sale, though the Greenlandic prime minister expressed openness to strengthening ties with the U.S., particularly in the mining sector.
Jørgen Bay-Kastrup, who is Danish, reiterated Greenland’s stance: “We are not a trade. We are not something for sale. We are open to cooperation, but we are not for sale.”
Ongoing Debate
The incident highlights the complex dynamics surrounding U.S. interest in Greenland. While Trump Jr.’s lunch may have aimed to build goodwill, the controversy over the attendees and subsequent cash handouts has raised questions about the approach and its impact on Greenlandic perceptions of the U.S.