A report from the UK Daily Mail claims President Donald Trump, energized by the recent U.S. strike on Venezuela, has directed America’s special operations leadership to explore a plan to invade Greenland, touching off internal resistance from senior military officials and renewed tensions with U.S. allies.
According to the report, Trump asked commanders within the Joint Special Operations Command to develop options for taking control of Greenland. The Daily Mail said senior military leaders are pushing back, arguing that such an operation would be illegal and lack support from Congress.
An unnamed diplomatic source quoted by the outlet described deep skepticism among top brass, claiming generals believe the idea is both unlawful and politically untenable. “The generals think Trump’s Greenland plan is crazy and illegal,” the source told the Mail. The same source said military leaders are attempting to redirect the president’s attention toward other major operations, adding bluntly that “it’s like dealing with a five-year-old.”
Trump’s long-running interest in Greenland has already generated significant backlash across the NATO alliance, particularly from Denmark, which oversees the autonomous territory. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has previously warned that any U.S. attack on Greenland would effectively spell the end of NATO, a claim that underscores how seriously European leaders view the possibility.
The Daily Mail report suggests that such a dramatic rupture may not be an unintended consequence. According to the article, a diplomatic cable cited by the outlet speculated that Trump’s true objective could be to undermine or dismantle NATO altogether.
“Since Congress would not allow Trump to exit NATO, occupying Greenland could force the Europeans to abandon NATO,” the cable reportedly said. “If Trump wants to end NATO, this might be the most convenient way to do it.”
The report paints a picture of a widening gap between Trump and elements of the U.S. military leadership, particularly when it comes to aggressive geopolitical moves that could upend long-standing alliances. It also highlights concerns among allies that Trump’s approach to foreign policy, especially following decisive military action in Venezuela, could extend into other strategically sensitive regions.
Greenland has become a focal point in Trump’s worldview due to its strategic location in the Arctic and its relevance to global power competition. However, the Daily Mail’s account suggests that military leaders see a stark difference between strategic interest and actionable military plans, especially without legal authority or congressional backing.
While the report relies heavily on anonymous sources and diplomatic speculation, it underscores the level of anxiety Trump’s Greenland ambitions have sparked among U.S. partners and within defense circles. The suggestion that occupying Greenland could be used as a lever to fracture NATO is likely to inflame already strained relations between Washington and European capitals.
The White House has not publicly confirmed the claims made in the Daily Mail report, and no official military plans have been disclosed. Still, the account adds to the growing international debate surrounding Trump’s assertive posture abroad and his willingness to challenge institutions that have defined Western security for decades.
If accurate, the report suggests Trump’s foreign policy calculations extend well beyond individual operations, touching on the future of NATO itself and America’s role within it. Whether the idea gains traction or is ultimately shelved, the controversy illustrates how Trump’s bold approach continues to unsettle allies and test the boundaries of presidential authority.
