Episode Overview
Podcast: Green & Red: Podcasts for Scrappy Radicals
Episode: Trump's New Imperialism Threatens Greenland w/ journalist Adam Federman (G&R 455)
Date: January 10, 2026
Main Theme:
This episode explores the Trump administration's revived ambitions regarding Greenland, dissecting the geopolitical, environmental, and indigenous sovereignty implications. Featuring investigative journalist Adam Federman, the conversation analyzes why Greenland is suddenly thrust into U.S. imperial sights, what’s fueling this new focus, the precarious role of indigenous Greenlanders, and the potential impacts on international relations, especially with Denmark, NATO, and Arctic politics.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Trump's Renewed Focus on Greenland (00:40–05:57)
- Trump administration, fresh off aggressive moves in Venezuela, pivots political rhetoric and resources towards Greenland.
- Trump claims a "national imperative" for the U.S. to acquire Greenland, fueling speculation about military and/or economic strategies.
- Appointment of Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as "special envoy" to Greenland, signaling intentions to push acquisition narratives.
- Adam Federman contextualizes: Trump mined this idea since his first term (2019), dismissed as fantasy then—but now, it’s a recurring policy point.
"Trump, like he does with so many things, is just pouring gasoline on the fire and seemingly not letting up on this idea that the United States somehow needs to acquire the island."
— Adam Federman (04:49)
2. Why Greenland? Strategic and Resource Value (05:57–09:26)
- Geopolitics: Greenland’s location is vital for North American and NATO Arctic security, long a focus since WWII. U.S. maintains a significant military base there.
- Resource Competition: Greenland's mineral potential (esp. rare earths) is often cited, paralleling U.S. efforts to control Venezuelan oil.
- Climate Change & New Routes: Melting Arctic ice opens shipping lanes and possible new resource extraction—but Adam cautions, real feasibility is exaggerated.
"Competition for resources has always driven imperial conquest, and the Arctic is no exception... But the notion that the United States or anyone else is going to come in and, like, flip a switch and start developing rare earth metals is absolutely, you know, insane."
— Adam Federman (08:21)
3. Arctic Geopolitics In Flux (09:26–12:29)
- Greenland’s status is complicated: an autonomous part of Denmark, but increasingly vocal in seeking self-determination.
- Russia’s war in Ukraine shifted Finland and Sweden into NATO—raising Arctic stakes.
- Tensions: Danish PM declares any U.S. aggression towards Greenland could break NATO.
- Adam highlights “nothing about us without us” sentiment—Greenlanders want a sovereign say over their future.
"Greenland's increasing quest for sovereignty and independence... They have this phrase... 'nothing about us without us.'"
— Adam Federman (11:15)
4. Indigenous Sovereignty & Local Politics (12:29–16:04)
- Over 80% of Greenland’s population are Inuit; independence from Denmark is a deep-rooted aspiration.
- Recent Greenland elections: debate between rapid independence (some even aligning with the U.S. for leverage) vs. a measured, Denmark-collaborative approach.
- U.S. seen meddling in Greenland politics and business—raising concerns about foreign interference and intentions.
"Greenland is over 80% Inuit, but has this long, complicated history with Denmark. And Trump's bluster and desire to simplify these relationships probably won't suit the United States particularly well."
— Adam Federman (14:41)
5. International Reaction and NATO/Europe’s Response (16:04–19:21, 26:56–27:31)
- European leaders (NATO, France, UK) issue strong warnings: intervention in Greenland would be considered an attack on a NATO ally (Denmark).
- Greenland itself isn’t in NATO, but Denmark is—raising stakes for European defense and unity.
- Trump’s aggressive approach could fracture historic alliances.
6. Trump Administration Players & Extraction Interests (21:50–25:28)
- Louisiana’s extraction politics (Landry as envoy) and connections to rare earth processing.
- Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and private equity’s interest in Greenlandic minerals signal resource motivations behind the policy.
- Appointment of MAGA loyalists (e.g., Tom Danz to U.S. Arctic Research Commission) underscores politicization of Arctic expertise.
"His [Lutnick's] firm, Cantor Fitzgerald, has a significant stake in a rare earth metals mine that's... probably the farthest along in terms of being ready to come online [in Greenland]."
— Adam Federman (22:27)
7. Greenland’s Base, U.S. Military Presence, and Historical Wrongs (30:26–32:33)
- U.S. maintains the Pitufik base (former Thule Air Base) under a 1951 agreement, with near carte blanche for activities.
- Historical U.S./Denmark forced relocation of Inuit families for base expansion—still a raw legacy, though partial U.S. goodwill exists among locals.
- Trump administration’s disregard for Greenlandic voices at official visits and events worsens relations.
"When the United States established that military base... the United States and Denmark forcibly relocated over a dozen Inuit families... I talked to some of the children of those families... who have very bitter memories of that time."
— Adam Federman (31:07)
8. Blowback, Boomerang Effect, and Colonial Dynamics (32:33–35:01)
- Trump’s interference may be pushing Greenlandic and Danish leaders closer, fostering renewed apologies and funding from Denmark.
- U.S. methods, such as rumored direct monetary offers to ordinary Greenlanders ("$100,000 per head"), seen as tone-deaf or even comical.
9. Will Trump Let This Go? The Path Forward (35:01–36:36)
- Adam doubts the administration will drop Greenland; Trump's obsession keeps the issue live.
- Key question: can any compromise be found that satisfies all stakeholders without destabilizing the region?
"Trump cannot let it go. He is, he's, I think it's fair to say he's obsessed with it."
— Adam Federman (35:34)
10. Biden Era & Policy Continuity (36:36–38:08)
- The Biden administration’s Arctic policy was more conventional: diplomatic engagement, reopening the consulate, funding for Greenland’s mineral sector, and new direct flights.
- Despite posturing, U.S. still lacks fundamental resources for real Arctic dominance (e.g., icebreakers; Russia has 40+, U.S. has just 1–2 operational ships).
11. Broader Geopolitical and Budget Realities (38:13–43:21)
- Trump threatens U.S. exit from NATO, seemingly preferring transactional, “America First” isolationism—potentially undermining Arctic strategy and security alliances.
- U.S. military’s inefficiency: massive spending doesn’t translate to Arctic capability.
- Adam and hosts question whether domestic supporters will back enormous expenditures on Greenland, paralleling debates over Israel aid.
"It's hard for me to imagine the MAGA base getting behind... paying the 56,000 people in Greenland each a hundred thousand dollars."
— Adam Federman (42:43)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On U.S. Imperial Drive:
"The competition for resources has always driven imperial conquest, and the Arctic is no exception."
— Adam Federman (08:10) -
On Potential NATO Collapse:
"...if you try to take Greenland by force, NATO is done, it's finished."
— Citing Danish Prime Minister via Adam Federman (10:13) -
On Greenlandic Sentiment:
"They have this phrase... 'nothing about us without us'..."
— Adam Federman (11:15) -
On Extraction Fantasy:
"The notion that... anyone... is going to come in and, like, flip a switch and start developing rare earth metals is absolutely... insane."
— Adam Federman (08:25) -
On Trump’s Motivation:
"Trump cannot let it go. He is, he's, I think it's fair to say he's obsessed with it."
— Adam Federman (35:34) -
On the Absurdity of U.S. Offers:
"Stories yesterday about the Trump administration is considering essentially buying off... $10,000 to $100,000 for each citizen of the country..."
— Adam Federman (33:01)
Timeline / Timestamps for Key Segments
- Trump’s renewed Greenland push – 00:40–05:57
- Greenland’s strategic/resource value – 05:57–09:26
- Arctic/NATO geopolitics – 09:26–12:29
- Indigenous sovereignty & domestic politics – 12:29–16:04
- Europe/NATO reaction – 16:04–19:21, 26:56–27:31
- U.S. political actors/extraction interests – 21:50–25:28
- Military base/history with Greenlanders – 30:26–32:33
- Impact on Greenlandic/Danish relations – 32:33–35:01
- Trump’s fixation and the future – 35:01–36:36
- Biden vs. Trump Arctic policy – 36:36–38:08
- U.S. military/international consequences – 38:13–43:21
Tone and Style
- Candid, irreverent, and skeptical analysis—characteristic of Green & Red’s scrappy, radical approach.
- Host banter (Scott Parkin and Bob Buzzanco) mixes historical expertise with pointed humor and deep concern about imperial overreach.
- Adam Federman delivers incisive, fact-based commentary, with an emphasis on nuance and lived experience from his reporting.
Summary for Non-Listeners
This episode gives a rich, up-to-the-minute critique of the Trump administration’s provocative pivot to Greenland, situating it within a centuries-long arc of imperial ambition and extraction politics. The conversation peels away the sensationalism of Trump’s rhetoric to highlight the very real stakes for indigenous Greenlanders, U.S.–Europe relations, NATO’s future, and the planet’s last resource frontiers. The episode also exposes the contradictions—both logistical and moral—of U.S. great-power politics, the enduring legacies of colonialism, and the farcical elements (e.g., direct cash offers for territory) that make this scenario both alarming and, at times, absurd.