Louisiana Governor Jeff Landy, who also serves as U.S. Special Envoy to Greenland, has defended President Donald Trump sending a hospital ship to the semi-autonomous Danish territory and condemned the island’s prime minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen for rejecting it.
“Shame on Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen,” Landry said. “After speaking to many Greenlanders about the day to day problems they face, one issue stood out—healthcare.”
“A healthy Greenland is vital for America’s national security,” he added.
Trump said in a Truth Social post on Saturday that a “great hospital boat” would be deployed to Greenland “to take care of the many people who are sick, and not being taken care of there.” He said it was “on the way” but offered no further details.
Nielsen said “no thank you” in a post on Facebook Sunday, adding: “President Trump’s idea of sending an American hospital ship here to Greenland has been noted. But we have a public healthcare system where treatment is free for citizens.”
But Landry argued in favor of the ship in his post on X, saying: “Many villages and small towns lack basic services that Americans often take for granted.
“Small settlements are without permanent doctors, diagnostic tools, or specialist care – forcing residents to travel great distances for vital treatments that should be available at home.”
“America is committed to defending Greenland, and that begins by ensuring its people are defended against basic illnesses and ailments,” he added.
“These missions matter because health is inseparable from security. America’s commitment to defending Greenland must begin with ensuring its people are healthy.”
This is a developing story – more to follow.
