Americans Largely Reject Trump’s Push on Greenland, Poll Finds, as Global Tensions Rise

A substantial majority of Americans oppose any attempt by the United States to take control of Greenland, according to a new CNN poll, underscoring deep public unease with President Trump’s increasingly aggressive posture toward the strategically vital Arctic territory and raising broader questions about the direction of U.S. foreign policy.

The poll shows that 75 percent of Americans oppose the idea of the United States seeking control of Greenland, while just 25 percent support it. The resistance cuts across party lines: Republicans are evenly divided, 50 percent in favor and 50 percent opposed, while Democrats reject the idea almost unanimously, with 94 percent opposed. Independents also register strong opposition, reflecting a rare moment of consensus in a deeply polarized political climate.

The findings come amid escalating tensions following failed White House talks with Danish officials, after which Mr. Trump declared on his Truth Social platform that any outcome short of U.S. control over Greenland would be “unacceptable.” The statement intensified diplomatic friction with Denmark, a NATO ally that retains sovereignty over the autonomous island, and sparked protests in both Denmark and Greenland.

Greenland, the world’s largest island, has long been seen by U.S. military planners as strategically important because of its location between North America and Europe, its role in missile detection and early-warning systems, and its proximity to increasingly contested Arctic shipping lanes. But critics say Mr. Trump’s rhetoric marks a sharp departure from diplomatic norms and risks destabilizing alliances at a moment of heightened global uncertainty.

On social media, reaction to the poll was swift and pointed. Prominent commentators on X, formerly Twitter, described the results as a “clear rebuke” of what they characterized as imperial overreach. CNN’s polling analyst Harry Enten noted in a widely shared post that opposition to the idea of taking Greenland was “one of the most lopsided foreign policy opinions we’ve seen in years.” MSNBC host Mehdi Hasan called the numbers “a warning sign that Americans are tired of brinkmanship masquerading as strategy.”

Even among Republicans, traditionally more supportive of muscular foreign policy, skepticism is growing. Several conservative commentators emphasized the financial and diplomatic costs of such a move, questioning whether confronting Denmark and Greenland would serve U.S. interests. “This isn’t buying Alaska in 1867,” wrote one prominent right-leaning analyst on Substack. “This is threatening an ally in a nuclear-armed, alliance-based world.”

The backlash has not been limited to the United States. In Denmark, political leaders across the spectrum rejected Mr. Trump’s remarks, reaffirming that Greenland is not for sale and warning that coercive language undermines trust within NATO. In Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, demonstrators gathered outside government buildings, holding signs that read “Greenland is not a bargaining chip” and “Our future is not yours to take.”

Greenland’s prime minister said in a statement that the island’s people “will decide our own path,” emphasizing self-determination and cooperation rather than confrontation. Danish officials, meanwhile, have sought to strike a careful balance, reaffirming close ties with Washington while pushing back firmly against any suggestion of territorial acquisition.

Foreign policy experts say the poll highlights a broader shift in American attitudes. After decades of costly wars and interventions, voters appear increasingly wary of bold assertions of power without clear justification or public support. “What this poll shows is that Americans are not looking for expansionist gestures,” said one former State Department official in an interview on CNN. “They want stability, alliances, and a focus on domestic challenges.”

The episode also carries political implications at home. With the 2026 midterm elections approaching, Democrats have seized on the poll to portray Mr. Trump as reckless on the world stage, while some Republicans worry the issue could alienate swing voters who prioritize diplomacy over confrontation.

For now, the numbers paint a stark picture: despite the strategic arguments advanced by the White House, public sentiment is firmly against any attempt to take control of Greenland. As protests continue abroad and criticism mounts at home, the poll suggests that Americans see the push not as a show of strength, but as a step too far in an already volatile global landscape.