# Trump now wants to use military force to take the Panama Canal and Greenland **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [January 7, 2025, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-now-wants-to-use-military-force-to-take-the-panama-canal-and-greenland/1012691 "2025-01-07T20:27:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2025, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-now-wants-to-use-military-force-to-take-the-panama-canal-and-greenland/1012691/21 "2025-01-07T21:45:13Z")
Seal Team Six…assemble! ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2025, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-now-wants-to-use-military-force-to-take-the-panama-canal-and-greenland/1012691/22 "2025-01-07T21:54:37Z")
I think you mean: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/MYECYfY7Gu8/maxresdefault.jpg "Team America: World Police (2004) Opening Scene") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYECYfY7Gu8) Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Cardigan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardigan/32/187_2.png) [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2025, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-now-wants-to-use-military-force-to-take-the-panama-canal-and-greenland/1012691/23 "2025-01-07T22:05:31Z")
I think we should change the thread title to “Trump’s Latest Media Manipulation”. If you ask me, this is one of his more ham-handed attempts to control a news cycle. My only question is what is he trying to take attention away from? The death of Jimmy Carter? ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2025, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-now-wants-to-use-military-force-to-take-the-panama-canal-and-greenland/1012691/24 "2025-01-07T22:13:29Z")
> [@Buck\_Godot](#): > > Remember back when Reagan got lambasted for obviously joking on an open mike that he outlawed Russia and the bombing will start in 5 minutes. Now the president can propose invading an ally without any indication of levity and its just shrugged off. > > I miss the days when we actually had standards. Trump only jokes about things like committing rape and murder. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2025, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-now-wants-to-use-military-force-to-take-the-panama-canal-and-greenland/1012691/25 "2025-01-07T22:16:24Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > He’s not going to do a thing, other than rattle the saber, try to extract some sort of better “deal” from the other party, and then present himself as an amazing negotiator. And then regardless of what other people do, Trump will retroactively claim that was what he wanted them to do all along. He’ll say his brilliant plan worked and his cult will praise his ability to play four-dimensional chess. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2025, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-now-wants-to-use-military-force-to-take-the-panama-canal-and-greenland/1012691/26 "2025-01-07T22:23:25Z")
> [@Cardigan](#): > > If you ask me, this is one of his more ham-handed attempts to control a news cycle. My only question is what is he trying to take attention away from? The death of Jimmy Carter? I’m thinking that might be the case. The Carter funeral has been on all day (I’m watching on CNN), and while there have been commercial breaks, they have been minimal. No mention of Trump, his ideas for concepts of plans once he is sworn in, nothing. So the more outlandish and outrageous Trump can be, the more likely he is to get some attention. Which we know he craves. I’m wondering if he spent some time today thinking, “What can I say that will put the spotlight back on me? I know! I’ll threaten to take the Panama Canal and Greenland by force. That should do it!” ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2025, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-now-wants-to-use-military-force-to-take-the-panama-canal-and-greenland/1012691/27 "2025-01-07T22:30:14Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > It seems he’s getting crazier, and crazier He’s forgotten how to use a mic. Why is anybody expecting him to be making sense? He’s saying whatever pops up into his head. That’s all. Expect more of it. The only question is, will Congress and the armed forces be good [Nugganites](https://wiki.lspace.org/Nuggan) or not? ---
**Author:** ![Buck\_Godot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buck_godot/32/6573_2.png) [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2025, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-now-wants-to-use-military-force-to-take-the-panama-canal-and-greenland/1012691/28 "2025-01-07T23:11:55Z")
I really don’t think these things are calculated or timed. I think that Trump just spouts off at any given time any stupid idea that comes into his head that makes him look tough. Then it is left up to individual members of his base to decide whether its a bold idea to show the world whose boss, or if its so stupid that even they can’t swallow it in which case he’s just trolling. ---
**Author:** ![peedin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peedin/32/14095_2.png) [@peedin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peedin)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2025, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-now-wants-to-use-military-force-to-take-the-panama-canal-and-greenland/1012691/29 "2025-01-07T23:24:17Z")
He is fucking insane. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2025, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-now-wants-to-use-military-force-to-take-the-panama-canal-and-greenland/1012691/30 "2025-01-07T23:41:38Z")
Next time someone says that having a constitutional monarch is worthless, remember this: [As Trump eyes Greenland, Danish king makes it bigger on his coat of arms](https://wapo.st/3DLrxSn) > [@](#): > > In the new coat of arms, the crowns have been removed, and the polar bear [representing Greenland] and ram [Faroe Islands] have their own quadrants. Whatever the opposite is of owning the libs, King Frederik X has done it. I’m guessing this is going to set back the movement for Greenland independence. Greenlanders need Denmark. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2025, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-now-wants-to-use-military-force-to-take-the-panama-canal-and-greenland/1012691/31 "2025-01-07T23:55:45Z")
It will take some time to try to explain the the Danish coat of arms symbology of this to Trump. If it’s even possible. Worst jobs in the world - - Trump Communications Director - Trump Press Secretary How in the hell do you spin this stuff? On the other hand, head chef would be easy. “Burn another one Tom, make sure you have enough ketchup” ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2025, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-now-wants-to-use-military-force-to-take-the-panama-canal-and-greenland/1012691/32 "2025-01-08T00:09:55Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > It will take some time to try to explain the the Danish coat of arms symbology of this to Trump. If it’s even possible. Disagree. One glance at this New York Post headline, and Donald will know: [King of Denmark trolls Trump by changing royal coat of arms to make Greenland prominent](https://www.aol.com/king-denmark-trolls-trump-changing-170801460.html) ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2025, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-now-wants-to-use-military-force-to-take-the-panama-canal-and-greenland/1012691/33 "2025-01-08T00:19:28Z")
Will. Trump. Understand. How long and how often will you need to explain it to him again. ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2025, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-now-wants-to-use-military-force-to-take-the-panama-canal-and-greenland/1012691/34 "2025-01-08T00:29:18Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > This is _very_ different from “I want to use military force to take the Panama Canal and Greenland.” > > He’s not going to do a thing, other than rattle the saber, try to extract some sort of better “deal” from the other party, and then present himself as an amazing negotiator. I am very sympathetic to this point of view, but there is the uncomfortable reality that by having said the thing, people are now going to start asking him about the thing. At no point will he ever deny the thing. He may incrementally “have people look into it”, they may try to curry his favor by coming up with near-enough alternatives. There’s the potential that the empty words will snowball into action without ever having been a plan at any point in time. The action may not come to full fruition, but it may come close enough to fruition that it does real and lasting harm. So yeah, I don’t think Trump has any plan to invade Panama, but that’s not necessarily cause for complacency either. This is fascism. Fascism doesn’t make plans, it screws up everything it attempts, yet it still manages to make horrendous things happen. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2025, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-now-wants-to-use-military-force-to-take-the-panama-canal-and-greenland/1012691/35 "2025-01-08T00:34:36Z")
> [@HMS\_Irruncible](#): > > I am very sympathetic to this point of view, but there is the uncomfortable reality that by having said the thing, people are now going to start asking him about the thing, and he will continue the non-denial and maybe have people look into it. This is, in fact, what’s already been happening. Because Trump has been saying dumb stuff about the Panama Canal and Greenland for weeks (and Greenland going back to his last administration), a reporter today asked him if he’d rule out using military force to take them over. And, entirely predictably, Trump replied with, “I’m not going to commit to that.” ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2025, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-now-wants-to-use-military-force-to-take-the-panama-canal-and-greenland/1012691/36 "2025-01-08T01:14:09Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > This is, in fact, what’s already been happening. Because Trump has been saying dumb stuff about the Panama Canal and Greenland for weeks (and Greenland going back to his last administration), a reporter today asked him if he’d rule out using military force to take them over. And, entirely predictably, Trump replied with, “I’m not going to commit to that.” Well yeah, that’s been mentioned in this thread. My take is that this is dangerous because it will _continue_ happening, pushing it closer to _beginning_ to happen, without Trump ever having anything like a plan at all. To be clear I have trouble imagining that annexing Greenland will come anywhere close to fruition. But there’s a shit-ton of damage that could be done while playing footsie with the idea, even if we’re only talking about damage to international relations. ---
**Author:** ![DWMarch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dwmarch/32/1010_2.png) [@DWMarch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DWMarch)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2025, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-now-wants-to-use-military-force-to-take-the-panama-canal-and-greenland/1012691/37 "2025-01-08T05:31:11Z")
When it comes to Greenland, I hear some pundits asking why and I think of the GIUK Gap that was prominent in the Tom Clancy novel Red Storm Rising. But the GIUK Gap is for protection against _Russia_. How are you going to explain this to Putin, Trump? ---
**Author:** ![Ash\_trav511](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/edb3f5/32.png) [@Ash\_trav511](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ash_trav511)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2025, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-now-wants-to-use-military-force-to-take-the-panama-canal-and-greenland/1012691/38 "2025-01-08T05:50:41Z")
I am beginning to seriously doubt Fetterman’s intentions. On Fox News… “If anyone thinks that’s bonkers, it’s like, well, remember the Louisiana Purchase? I think Alaska was a pretty great deal, too,” he said. “I would never support taking it by force, but I do think it’s a responsible conversation if they were open to acquiring it… And I don’t think it’s helpful to freak out.” ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2025, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-now-wants-to-use-military-force-to-take-the-panama-canal-and-greenland/1012691/39 "2025-01-08T05:53:47Z")
> [@Ash\_trav511](#): > > I am beginning to seriously doubt Fetterman’s intentions. He’s quickly becoming a disappointment in the same way Sinema did. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2025, 6:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-now-wants-to-use-military-force-to-take-the-panama-canal-and-greenland/1012691/40 "2025-01-08T06:05:05Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > He’s quickly becoming a disappointment in the same way Sinema did. The only people disappointed by Kyrsten Sinema were those not paying attention to what a shit-scammer she was after joining the ironically-named “Problem Solvers Caucus”. Stranger [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-now-wants-to-use-military-force-to-take-the-panama-canal-and-greenland/1012691.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-now-wants-to-use-military-force-to-take-the-panama-canal-and-greenland/1012691.md?page=3)