Vice President JD Vance’s planned visit to Greenland has ignited significant diplomatic tensions, leading to the cancellation of events involving his wife, Usha Vance, by local organizations. The trip, initially intended to include cultural engagements, has been scaled back amid backlash from Greenlandic and Danish officials.
Now, the planned U.S. delegation to Greenland has been cut from a three-day cultural visit to less than 24 hours on the tundra amid possible protests.
Greenland leaders said the U.S. delegation wasn’t invited and viewed the trip as a ‘show of force.’
Tupilak Travel, a tourism company based in Nuuk, had initially agreed to host Second Lady Usha Vance during her visit. However, following Vice President Vance’s announcement that he would join his wife, the company rescinded its invitation, citing concerns over the trip’s underlying agenda and the media attention it attracted. Tupilak Travel stated, “Initially when the White House had called to ask if Usha Vance could visit, they had no qualms about it. But when they considered it further, they informed the Consulate that they did not wish to host her.”
President Donald Trump’s renewed interest in acquiring Greenland has been met with strong opposition from Greenlandic and Danish leaders. Greenland’s acting Prime Minister Mute B. Egede has labeled the U.S. approach as “highly aggressive,” emphasizing that Greenland is not for sale and that its future will be determined by its residents.
“One way or the other, we’re going to get it,” Trump boasted to Congress.
In response to the diplomatic uproar, the Vances’ itinerary has been altered. Instead of attending cultural events such as Greenland’s national dogsled race, the couple will now focus on visiting the U.S. Space Force outpost at Pituffik.
Late-night television hosts have also weighed in on the controversy. Jimmy Kimmel criticized the administration’s handling of the situation, describing it as “a perfect storm of incompetence, inexperience, dishonesty, and hypocrisy.”