Brit Hume of FOX News has offered a fresh perspective on President Donald Trump’s persistent push for U.S. control of Greenland. During Monday’s “Special Report,” Hume suggested that the President’s rhetoric is part of a “never-ending quest for leverage” rather than a literal threat of military force.
Hume argued that Trump views the acquisition of Greenland as a transactional deal. He noted that while the President’s methods often baffle observers, they are consistent with his history of using public pressure to gain a better position in negotiations with other world leaders.
“I don’t think he’s going to militarily attack Greenland,” Hume said. “I think he’d love to buy it if the Danes would sell it to him.”
“What I do think is this, that his efforts on Greenland have baffled a lot of people. It’s not popular in this country. If he gets a good deal and we get the use of Greenland for our military purposes, that may all work out for him. But at the moment, he’s underwater on that.”
The 10% Leverage Strategy
To force a seat at the table, President Trump announced a 10% levy on exports from several key European nations, including Denmark, Germany, and the United Kingdom, starting February 1, 2026. The rate is scheduled to jump to 25% by June if a “full acquisition” is not completed.
The President maintains that Greenland’s strategic position and mineral wealth are essential for American national security. He has repeatedly questioned Denmark’s right to the territory, claiming their ownership is based merely on a “boat landing” hundreds of years ago.
European leaders have responded with “extreme anxiety” and emergency meetings. The EU is currently weighing potential retaliatory tariffs against the U.S. if the February 1 deadline is enforced.
A Divisive Bipartisan Issue
While some Republicans view the move as a masterclass in negotiation, many Democrats have labeled the strategy “out of control.” Senators like Ed Markey have even suggested the President is acting with “unchecked power” that requires immediate intervention.
Hume acknowledged that the Greenland push is currently “underwater” in terms of domestic popularity. However, he suggested that if the President ultimately secures a favorable deal for military use or resource access, the public perception may shift in his favor.
As the DOJ and FBI manage domestic security concerns, the administration’s foreign policy remains focused on Arctic dominance. The President has made it clear that “anything less” than U.S. control of the island will be considered a failure of diplomacy.