Former U.S. President Donald Trump has again stirred international controversy,this time sharing digitally altered images on social media depicting the annexation of Greenland and Canada [[1]]. The move, which comes as European leaders gather for the World economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, escalates already strained transatlantic relations and follows a pattern of the former president’s repeated expressions of interest in acquiring sovereign territory [[3]].Denmark has responded by deploying additional troops to Greenland and proposing a NATO mission in the Arctic .
Former U.S. President Donald Trump shared digitally altered images on his social media platform, Truth Social, on Tuesday morning depicting the United States annexing Greenland and Canada. The move comes amid escalating tensions with several traditional transatlantic allies and follows threats regarding U.S. control over Greenland.
One of the images shows a manipulated version of a photograph taken in August during a meeting with European leaders – including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen – with a map of North America prominently displayed. In the altered image, the United States, including Alaska, is overlaid with the American flag, as are the territories of Canada and Venezuela. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni are also visible in the image. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte appear in the background.
The original photograph, taken on August 18 in the Oval Office and released by the White House, depicted Trump meeting with European leaders who had traveled to Washington to show support for Ukraine. At the time, Trump was attempting to pressure Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy into accepting a peace deal with Russia that Kyiv considered unfavorable. The map in the original photo featured Ukraine, not North America as shown in the altered version.
Trump also posted another AI-generated image, equally rudimentary, showing himself alongside Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President J.D. Vance planting an American flag in a snowy landscape with a sign reading “Greenland, Territory of the United States,” and indicating the year 2026. The images were not labeled as digitally altered.
Alongside the images, Trump shared screenshots of alleged private messages from European leaders, including French President Macron and the NATO Secretary General. He claimed to have had “a very good conversation” with Rutte just hours before a scheduled meeting with European leaders regarding Greenland, an island that is a sovereign part of Denmark. Trump has repeatedly threatened to acquire Greenland since returning to office a year ago.
European leaders have been formulating a strong response to the U.S. decision to impose new tariffs on countries showing solidarity with Greenland and Denmark by sending small troop contingents to the Arctic island. The situation highlights growing geopolitical tensions in the region.
The risk of escalation, which European countries are attempting to avoid, is high. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Monday in Davos that it “would not be a wise idea” for the European Union to retaliate, emphasizing the need to take Trump’s statements seriously.
The World Economic Forum in Davos is expected to include Friedrich Merz (Germany), Emmanuel Macron (France), Mark Carney (Canada), Ursula von der Leyen (European Commission), and many others. Political allies of Trump, such as Javier Milei (Argentina) and British opposition figure Nigel Farage, will also be in attendance. Meetings between the U.S. President and von der Leyen and the NATO Secretary General are anticipated outside the official program.
Denmark deployed additional troops to the large island on Monday and has proposed creating a NATO mission in the Arctic.
