President Donald Trump has shared an image, seemingly AI-edited, that shows him sitting alongside a map of the U.S. that includes Greenland, Canada and Venezuela as he speaks with European leaders.
The picture, which Trump posted on Truth Social, appears to be an edited version of a photograph taken when leaders—including French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen—went to Washington, D.C., in August 2025.
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Newsweek has contacted the White House for comment via email outside normal working hours and the government of Greenland.
Why It Matters
Since returning to office in January 2025, Trump has repeatedly remarked on annexing Canada as the 51st state. Earlier this month, he posted an image on social media that described him as the "Acting President of Venezuela," following the U.S. capture of leader Nicolás Maduro.
Trump's latest post comes amid his long-running claim that the U.S. should acquire Greenland, a self-governing Danish territory, for national security reasons. The president has declined to rule out the use of military force to gain control of the Arctic island and has threatened tariffs on European allies resistant to such a takeover.
As European leaders have vowed solidarity with Denmark and Greenland, the social media post underscores the widening diplomatic rift between Washington and the Continent.
What To Know
The image of the map appears to be an edited version of a photo taken in August, when European leaders visited Washington for Trump's phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Another AI-generated image shows Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Greenland, with Trump planting an American flag in the ground next to a sign that says, "Greenland—U.S. Territory. Est. 2026."
Trump recently told reporters that European allies would not "push back too much" on his plans to acquire Greenland, adding, "We have to have it."
"They can't protect it," Trump continued, citing Russia and China as threats to the Arctic territory.
Trump has threatened a 10 percent tariff on eight European countries beginning February 1, rising to 25 percent on June 1, unless there is a "Complete and Total purchase of Greenland." The move has prompted condemnation from European NATO members and a joint statement of solidarity with Denmark and Greenland.
What People Are Saying
U.S. President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social on Friday: "We have subsidized Denmark, and all of the Countries of the European Union, and others, for many years by not charging them Tariffs, or any other forms of remuneration. Now, after Centuries, it is time for Denmark to give back — World Peace is at stake! China and Russia want Greenland, and there is not a thing that Denmark can do about it. They currently have two dogsleds as protection, one added recently. Only the United States of America, under PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP, can play in this game, and very successfully, at that! Nobody will touch this sacred piece of Land, especially since the National Security of the United States, and the World at large, is at stake. On top of everything else, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, The United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland have journeyed to Greenland, for purposes unknown."
Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said last week: "Greenland does not want to be governed from the United States. Greenland does not want to be part of the United States."
What Happens Next
European Union ambassadors have planned emergency meetings and discussed potential retaliatory measures if U.S. tariffs advance.
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