Mysterious man offers Greenlanders $200,000 to sign pro-US declaration

A taxi driver in Nuuk has reported a bizarre encounter with an elderly American man offering large sums of money in exchange for signatures on a document declaring support for Greenland becoming part of the United States, Danish broadcaster DR reports.

The US Embassy in Denmark has denied any official connection to the man, who has sparked widespread debate in Greenland after approaching residents in the capital. Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens Frederik Nielsen reiterated in response that “Greenland is not for sale.”

Deltime taxi driver Danny Brandt described picking up the man, who introduced himself as “Cliff” from Las Vegas, in central Nuuk. After a brief conversation about gambling, the passenger suddenly offered Brandt $200,000—equivalent to over 1.3 million Danish kroner—to sign a pre-prepared document.

“I could see it was about whether Greenland should be part of the USA,” Brandt told DR, adding that he politely refused. The man, estimated to be over 80 and walking with difficulty, then declared: “Wait and see. Remember the name Cliff. In January, your wife, your children, your whole family, and everyone in Greenland will receive $200,000.”

Brandt reported the incident to police, though he admitted skepticism about the offer’s legitimacy. His Facebook post detailing the encounter has since been shared 462 times, with most reactions expressing anger. Some commenters joked about where to sign, but the majority condemned the approach.

The incident follows last year’s mass protests in Greenland against then-US President Donald Trump’s public suggestion of purchasing the territory. At the time, thousands demonstrated under the slogan “Greenland is not for sale.”

Prime Minister Nielsen addressed the latest development on Facebook, stating: “We are a democratic society. Our future is not negotiated in a taxi. And it is not bought with money.”

Authorities have not confirmed the man’s identity or motives, though speculation suggests an attempt to provoke tensions between Greenland, Denmark, and the US.