LEGACY — Greenland: The 51st State? (Episode 2)
Date: November 20, 2025
Hosts: Afua Hirsch & Peter Frankopan
Episode Overview
In this episode of Legacy, Afua Hirsch and Peter Frankopan unravel the recent and escalating geopolitical drama over Greenland, in the wake of Donald Trump’s renewed push to acquire the island for the United States. The hosts dissect the strategic, historical, and cultural significance of Greenland—examining its place in Danish, American, and wider global interests, and exploring how recent events and great power rivalries are reshaping its potential future.
The discussion investigates whether Greenland could or should become the "51st state," the legacies of colonialism, the changing Arctic, and how Trump’s latest overtures have inadvertently altered the power dynamics between Denmark and Greenland—perhaps even empowering Greenlanders in their negotiation for more autonomy and recognition.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. The Danish Flag and Heraldic Redesign (01:23–04:14)
- In January 2025, Denmark altered its coat of arms, removing old symbols of the dissolved Kalmar Union and giving Greenland and the Faroe Islands their own distinct quarters.
- The redesign wasn’t just introspection or a nod to equity—it was triggered by a public push from Donald Trump about U.S. control of Greenland, causing considerable consternation in Denmark.
“Trump on Christmas Eve tagged the ambassador to Denmark, writing, 'for the purposes of national security ... the United States feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity.'” — Peter Frankopan (02:52)
2. Trump's Renewed Greenland Ambitions: The Geopolitical Stakes (04:14–06:13)
- Trump, about to start his second presidential term, revived discussion on acquiring Greenland, citing national security and the burden on Denmark.
- Denmark’s response—public reaffirmation of unity from the King—was a clear geopolitical signal to keep American hands off.
- The move raised questions for Denmark, Greenland, and the global order: Would Greenland stay with Denmark? What would U.S. control mean for NATO? For Greenlanders themselves?
3. Strategic Value of Greenland: Past and Present (06:20–11:22)
- Greenland’s position is vital: during WWII, it was a meteorological lynchpin, influencing Allied operations.
- As climate change opens new Arctic routes, Greenland’s importance for commercial shipping and military power projection grows.
- The island is rich in minerals (e.g., cryolite), making it attractive not just for strategic basing, but also for resource exploitation.
“There is a rare earth mineral called cryolite which is used in the production of aluminium. And there is a sense that there may be more mineral wealth in Greenland...” — Afua Hirsch (11:22)
4. The U.S. Obsession: A Long Legacy of Attempts (11:22–15:58)
- America’s interest in Greenland dates back to the 19th century, including purchase ideas post-Alaska acquisition.
- U.S. officials repeatedly viewed purchasing Greenland as a military and economic necessity.
- Trump's language echoes previous American rationale, reflecting a persistent mercantilist ethos.
“A State Department official...practically every member ... agrees that our real objective as regards Greenland should be to acquire it by purchase from Denmark... owning Greenland ... is indispensable to the safety of the United States.” — Peter Frankopan (14:33)
5. Colonial Framing and the Greenlandic Perspective (15:58–19:19)
- U.S.–Denmark negotiations historically ignored Greenlanders’ autonomy.
- Greenland faces three options: independence, maintaining status with Denmark, or joining the U.S.—each fraught with economic and political challenges.
- Trump's overtures exploited internal division among Greenlanders but overlooked genuine aspirations.
“They’re trying to buy something from someone else who invaded it. So I don't know if that's going to feel a whole lot better.” — Afua Hirsch (15:58)
6. The Melting Arctic and the New Geopolitical Game (20:14–26:01)
- Retreating Arctic ice is turning Greenland into a choke point for future trade and military routes.
- Control of key passageways (like the Duke Gap) is set to become even more vital.
- The Arctic is now a central arena for U.S., Russian, and even Chinese interests, with military buildup evident on Svalbard and changing patterns of naval access.
“Some of us think that the Arctic will be ice free as early as 2035. So, you know, we're coming into a world which is changing very dramatically...” — Peter Frankopan (20:45)
7. The Changing Global Alliance System (26:01–29:12)
- Nordic countries are re-aligning defense to work more closely with the U.S./UK as Russia’s Arctic ambitions grow.
- Trump’s provocations disturb an alliance built on decades of trust.
“Trump has thrown a major spanner into the works of that whole situation.” — Afua Hirsch (26:01)
- China’s “Near-Arctic State” policy and investments are also causing anxiety, with fears that Denmark’s past courting of Chinese capital might now undermine the West’s position.
8. The American Dream vs. Greenlandic Reality (31:50–35:20)
- Trump’s logic is real estate logic: if every land has a price, what would it cost to buy Greenland? But the people—the population of 57,000—have not shown interest in becoming part of the U.S.
- Trump’s appeals to Greenlanders’ grievances with Denmark are seen for what they are: opportunistic and self-serving.
“Trump, usually known for being quite hostile to anti-racism, being quite hostile to indigenous rights movements ... [now] trying to weaponize the real grievances Greenlanders have against Denmark.” — Afua Hirsch (35:20)
- For Greenlanders, Trump’s involvement perhaps opens a rare window for increased investment and leverage in negotiations with Denmark.
9. The Danish Response and Greenlandic Leverage (35:20–38:38)
- Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen forcefully rejected Trump’s gambit, publicly declaring it as "unacceptable behavior."
- Greenland’s own leaders have leveraged the attention to demand more investment and rights, strengthening their hand.
“The forthrightness with which [Frederiksen] said her message to Trump was essentially, 'get your hands off Greenland.' ... it was ballsy, I have to say.” — Afua Hirsch (35:20)
10. Conclusion and Takeaways (38:38–41:55)
Peter Frankopan’s three takeaways:
- Trump’s short attention span: The brouhaha over Greenland has now faded, but could return.
- Terrible timing: Trump’s actions have added instability in a world already challenged by wars and declining respect for international law.
- Unintended empowerment: By stirring the pot, Trump has forced Denmark to pay more attention to Greenlandic grievances, perhaps enabling a more equitable future.
“Probably what Trump has done inadvertently ... by shining a light on Greenland and making everybody get extremely anxious and stressed about, he's probably helped the Greenlandic peoples because their equity ... and support from Copenhagen has gone up.” — Peter Frankopan (40:11)
Afua sums up the history lesson:
“By becoming completely non-credible because he makes all these threats that he doesn't follow through, he's actually helped empower, what can you say, a country of predominantly indigenous people to reinforce their rights.” — Afua Hirsch (41:21)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “We are all united ... for the Kingdom of Denmark ... all the way to Greenland. We belong together.” — King of Denmark, quoted by Afua Hirsch (03:30)
- “Maps, they sort of don't ... show you the size of anything ... but you should think about Iceland and Greenland as stepping stones ... to the North Atlantic.” — Peter Frankopan (07:51)
- “I mean, I blame maps. I love a good map, don’t get me wrong...” — Peter Frankopan (07:51)
- “If you can get that structure right ... the next 10 or 20 years might start to deliver some really nice uplifts [for Greenland].” — Peter Frankopan (34:19)
- “History is a complicated thing ... there's no better goal than a known goal, right? When someone achieves not just what they were hoping to do, they score one against themselves.” — Peter Frankopan (41:36)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 01:23 — Danish flag and coat of arms redesign
- 02:52 — Trump’s provocative statement about Greenland
- 06:20 — The strategic control of the Arctic & climate change’s impact
- 09:25 — Greenland’s WWII role and ongoing strategic importance
- 11:22 — Mining wealth, resource exploitation, and rare earths
- 14:33 — U.S. rationale for acquisition in 1945 and echoes to the present
- 20:45 — Climate change, emerging Arctic sea routes, and the “Duke Gap”
- 26:01 — Shifting alliances and increased military tensions in the Arctic
- 33:14 — Greenlandic reaction to U.S. overtures, population concerns
- 35:20 — Trump appropriates indigenous grievances for U.S. interests
- 38:38 — Final analysis and main takeaways
Final Thoughts
With their trademark mix of wit, expertise, and skepticism, Hirsch and Frankopan unpack a seemingly improbable but highly consequential episode in modern geopolitics. What sounds like the stuff of political satire—Trump trying to buy Greenland—turns out to be just the latest flashpoint in centuries of jockeying for Arctic power and resources. Yet, ironically, it may be helping Greenlanders secure long-denied recognition, rights, and resource wealth.
History, as the episode reminds us, can turn even the most farcical gestures into levers for genuine change—though rarely in ways the protagonists (Trumps included) intend.