US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that he was working with Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry to send a hospital ship to Greenland, the Danish territory that Trump has repeatedly said he would like the United States to acquire.
Trump announced the move on social media shortly before hosting a dinner for Republican governors at the White House, where he was seated alongside Landry.
“Working with the fantastic Governor of Louisiana, Jeff Landry, we are going to send a great hospital boat to Greenland to take care of the many people who are sick and not being taken care of there. It’s on the way!!!” Trump wrote.
Neither the White House nor Landry’s office immediately clarified the statement, including whether Denmark or Greenland had requested such assistance or what specific medical needs were being addressed. The Pentagon also offered no immediate comment.
The announcement came amid renewed attention on Greenland. Danish King Frederik visited the territory last week in what was widely seen as a gesture of solidarity following months of diplomatic strain triggered by Trump’s remarks about purchasing the island.
Trump’s comments also followed a statement from Denmark’s Joint Arctic Command, which said it had evacuated a crew member requiring urgent medical treatment from a US submarine operating near Greenland, just outside the capital, Nuuk. Any connection between that incident and Trump’s proposed hospital ship deployment was not immediately clear.
The US Navy operates two hospital ships — the USNS Mercy and the USNS Comfort — though neither is based in Louisiana.
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