# 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:** 49
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2026, 9:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-now-wants-to-use-military-force-to-take-the-panama-canal-and-greenland/1012691/961 "2026-03-04T09:28:57Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > Greenlanders – you need conscription!!! Not because of combat power, but to send DJT the we-never-surrender message that could scare him away. I wouldn’t put it past him and his minders to spin that as planning terrorist aggression against the US, or at least its existing presence there, as a justification for some sort of attack. ---
**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:** [March 19, 2026, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-now-wants-to-use-military-force-to-take-the-panama-canal-and-greenland/1012691/962 "2026-03-19T22:05:18Z")
The Financial Times reports that, as of January, Danish forces were prepared to blow up the runways at Greenland’s airports to prevent American planes from landing. [https://www.ft.com/content/e0783399-613f-4432-87a3-262698f3f6ca?sharetype=blocked&syn-25a6b1a6=1](https://www.ft.com/content/e0783399-613f-4432-87a3-262698f3f6ca?sharetype=blocked&syn-25a6b1a6=1) ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2026, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-now-wants-to-use-military-force-to-take-the-panama-canal-and-greenland/1012691/963 "2026-03-20T00:33:55Z")
Re last post, this is not behind a paywall: [The Telegraph: Denmark planned to blow up Greenland’s runways to prevent US attack](https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/denmark-planned-blow-greenland-runways-152042194.html) > [@](#): > > On Jan 21, Mr Trump ruled out using military force to take over Greenland in a speech in Davos. And they believe that? I have no real idea how the seasons of the year favor defense vs. invaders. But that’s just the sort of thing where Trump would figure he’s an expert. In my view, Trump would only invade in Summer. As for how Iran affects this, if Trump gets bogged down in a land war in Asia, Greenland will be saved. But so long as the U.S. does not try a protracted land invasion of Iran, Greenland is still at risk. Same for Panama. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2026, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-now-wants-to-use-military-force-to-take-the-panama-canal-and-greenland/1012691/964 "2026-06-16T01:33:58Z")
There’s an excellent long New Yorker article out today on the theme of Trump having been persistently determined to steal Greenland since his first term: [Inside the Ludicrous, Deadly Serious Plan to Take Over Greenland](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2026/06/22/inside-the-ludicrous-deadly-serious-plan-to-take-over-greenland) There’s hardly any mention of Iran in the article, but here’s my fear: Having lost the Iran war, Trump will want a war where he has a better chance of victory, and that’s Greenland. Someone might say that Trump thinks he won in Iran. I hope they are correct but fear Trump knows better. I think he wants the kind of victory where you can visit the fallen enemy capital in a presidential motorcade. Again – hope I am wrong, but I just cannot see why he won’t do it, other than the remote chance of our military defying him. Or maybe he’ll realize that Nuuk is just a small town, with a motorcade through it hardly like Lincoln in Richmond. Will he? ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2026, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-now-wants-to-use-military-force-to-take-the-panama-canal-and-greenland/1012691/965 "2026-06-16T02:02:18Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > Having lost the Iran war… This is something DJT will never admit and no member of his regime will admit either, unless they want to be immediately tossed under a bus. As to whether he will try to invade Greenland before the midterms - I cannot imagine anything he could do before the midterms that would galvanize the GOP against him more than this. Same for invading Cuba. _Afte_r the midterms the pushback from Congress would be even greater, assuming the Ds get control of at least 1 chamber. ---
**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:** [June 16, 2026, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-now-wants-to-use-military-force-to-take-the-panama-canal-and-greenland/1012691/966 "2026-06-16T02:31:13Z")
Trump is too risk-averse to American casualties to even send ground troops into Iran. I doubt this progresses any further than more incoherent bluster on this part. ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2026, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-now-wants-to-use-military-force-to-take-the-panama-canal-and-greenland/1012691/967 "2026-06-16T02:37:50Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Trump is too risk-averse to American casualties to even send ground troops into Iran. He wouldn’t even go in against a Sicilian when death is on the line. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2026, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-now-wants-to-use-military-force-to-take-the-panama-canal-and-greenland/1012691/968 "2026-06-16T03:40:41Z")
> [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](#): > > As to whether he will try to invade Greenland before the midterms - I cannot imagine anything he could do before the midterms that would galvanize the GOP against him more than this. Same for invading Cuba. That wouldn’t stop him from doing it anyway. And Greenland has such a small population that it could be conquered fast enough to make conquest a _fait accompli_ before even a Congress with spine could do anything about it. ---
**Author:** ![bobsmom101](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobsmom101/32/2867_2.png) [@bobsmom101](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobsmom101)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2026, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-now-wants-to-use-military-force-to-take-the-panama-canal-and-greenland/1012691/969 "2026-06-16T03:55:36Z")
Shucks, Saint Ronnie invaded _Grenada_ FFS. Precedent. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2026, 10:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-now-wants-to-use-military-force-to-take-the-panama-canal-and-greenland/1012691/970 "2026-06-16T10:29:29Z")
> [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](#): > > _Afte_r the midterms the pushback from Congress would be even greater, assuming the Ds get control of at least 1 chamber. How does that work? If they pass a resolution against, he’ll veto. I think the most likely window in which he would do it is Summer 2028, to demonstrate he isn’t a powerless lame duck, and leave a legacy. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2026, 10:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-now-wants-to-use-military-force-to-take-the-panama-canal-and-greenland/1012691/971 "2026-06-16T10:32:29Z")
> [@bobsmom101](#): > > Shucks, Saint Ronnie invaded _Grenada_ FFS. Precedent. Not a precedent in my eyes. Reagan is popular in Grenada. Trump will always be, at least quietly, despised in Greenland. ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2026, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-now-wants-to-use-military-force-to-take-the-panama-canal-and-greenland/1012691/972 "2026-06-16T12:16:01Z")
Would Article 5 be invoked? ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2026, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-now-wants-to-use-military-force-to-take-the-panama-canal-and-greenland/1012691/973 "2026-06-16T12:27:54Z")
By President Ineptstein? Only if Greenland wins like the Iranians. I suppose the Danes and the other sensible nations would refuse to come to his help. Whether he would then only dissolve NATO or form a new alliance with Putin to invade Alaska with him is anyone’s guess. ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2026, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-now-wants-to-use-military-force-to-take-the-panama-canal-and-greenland/1012691/974 "2026-06-16T14:16:55Z")
No, I meant by Denmark / Greenland. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2026, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-now-wants-to-use-military-force-to-take-the-panama-canal-and-greenland/1012691/975 "2026-06-16T16:10:05Z")
What would be awkward is that both the attacker and the defender are in NATO. That was not what they expected. ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2026, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-now-wants-to-use-military-force-to-take-the-panama-canal-and-greenland/1012691/976 "2026-06-16T16:19:49Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > What would be awkward is that both the attacker and the defender are in NATO. The US invading Greenland would absolutely destroy NATO. I expect Putin is encouraging Trump to do it just to get that result. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2026, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-now-wants-to-use-military-force-to-take-the-panama-canal-and-greenland/1012691/977 "2026-06-16T17:03:51Z")
> [@Stratocaster](#): > > Would Article 5 be invoked? Any remaining sane voice Trump hopefully listens to (General Caine?) will be saying yes in hopes of deterring DJT from a very ill-advised adventure. But we would be in such unknown territory that it is hard to predict. If Trump orders invasion in 2028, the rest of NATO (other than the U.S.) will fear that killing U.S. soldiers would hurt the chances of a Democratic Party administration taking power in 2029 and quickly reversing both the conquest and NATO breakup. Add that to the Europeans not wanting their own soldiers killed in what might look like a losing cause, and I’d expect a bloodless coup de main. But if the U.S. were to invade earlier, the cries of the oppressed Greenlanders become harder for Denmark to ignore. . If a Democratic administration did reverse the conquest, for decades the GOP might claim that if the Democrats hadn’t given back Greenland, we Americans would all be rich. Or maybe the combined foolishness and evil would bring down MAGA for good. ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2026, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-now-wants-to-use-military-force-to-take-the-panama-canal-and-greenland/1012691/978 "2026-06-16T17:36:48Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > I think he wants the kind of victory where you can visit the fallen enemy capital in a presidential motorcade. Which would end up looking even more pathetic and hilarious than his birthday parade last year. Nuuk is a small town of 20,000 people in a largely rural setting, and a full presidential motorcade would just be ludicrously out of place there. > **[Nuuk](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuuk)** > > Nuuk (.mw-parser-output .IPA-label-small{font-size:85%}.mw-parser-output .references .IPA-label-small,.mw-parser-output .infobox .IPA-label-small,.mw-parser-output .navbox .IPA-label-small{font-size:100%}Greenlandic pronunciation: \[nuːk\] ⓘ; Danish: Godthåb) is the capital and most populous city of Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark. It is the seat of the Sermersooq municipality and the government of Greenland and is the territory's largest cultural and economic center. In January 20... ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2026, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-now-wants-to-use-military-force-to-take-the-panama-canal-and-greenland/1012691/979 "2026-06-16T18:01:43Z")
> [@Horatius](#): > > and a full presidential motorcade would just be ludicrously out of place there. Secret Service : “Uhhh… I guess we all have to back up the entire motorcade and do it again.” ---
**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:** [June 18, 2026, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-now-wants-to-use-military-force-to-take-the-panama-canal-and-greenland/1012691/980 "2026-06-18T22:02:55Z")
> [@Horatius](#): > > Which would end up looking even more pathetic and hilarious than his birthday parade last year. Nuuk is a small town of 20,000 people in a largely rural setting, and a full presidential motorcade would just be ludicrously out of place there. How about we just wait until the next time he takes a nap and when he wakes up we tell him he was just in a big motorcade? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-now-wants-to-use-military-force-to-take-the-panama-canal-and-greenland/1012691.md?page=48) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-now-wants-to-use-military-force-to-take-the-panama-canal-and-greenland/1012691.md?page=50)