Greenlanders cautiously welcome Trump’s losses in Congress
Thursday 5th November 2026 on 20:01 in
Denmark
Some Greenlanders see the Democrats gaining more control in the US Congress as a positive development, but residents and businesses are wary of celebrating too soon, DR reports.
Aqqalukkuluk Fontain, a Greenlander who has previously organised demonstrations against Donald Trump, said it was “megapositive” that Trump had lost both chambers of Congress. He was checking the latest US seat count outside the American consulate in central Nuuk.
Fontain led a demonstration against the new consulate on May 21, when protesters turned their backs on the building in opposition to Trump. He said Greenland was not yet “out of the woods,” noting that Trump had two and a half years left as US president and Democrats would not take control of the legislature until January 3.
Trump has repeatedly suggested in interviews and on social media that he owns Greenland, despite having signed a defence agreement that says otherwise, the article reports. Fontain said Greenland had made clear that any dealings must take place on Greenland’s terms, with respect for its nature, culture and way of life.
Christian Keldsen, director of Greenland’s business organisation Grønlands Erhverv, said he was relieved the result matched forecasts and appeared to have brought some calm in the United States. He also saw positive signs for dialogue with the US.
However, Keldsen said the shift in Congress could slow plans linked to Trump’s ambitions for Greenland. As far as is known, no funding has been set aside for those plans, whether involving the military or natural resources. If congressional processes take longer, it could also take longer for Greenlandic businesses to see activity under the agreement, he said.
Keldsen added that tighter Democratic control of domestic policy could potentially intensify Trump’s unpredictable ambitions abroad, with possible consequences for Greenland.
Fontain said he remained distrustful of Trump, but noted that the president had so far accepted the election result. Asked whether the outcome looked good for the rest of the world, he said he thought it did.