Senator Sanders Criticizes President Trump’s Greenland Proposal as Emotional and Unrelated to Foreign Policy

In a recent appearance on CBS’s "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert," Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont made pointed remarks regarding President Donald Trump’s attempt to purchase Greenland. Sanders described the president's conduct as reminiscent of a "narcissistic 4-year-old spoiled brat," emphasizing the emotional nature of Trump's actions rather than any substantive foreign policy considerations. According to Sanders, Trump’s response appeared akin to a child throwing a tantrum over not receiving an expected reward, in this case, the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize. The Vermont senator elaborated on a particular aspect of the controversy involving a reported text message from President Trump to Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. In the message, Trump reportedly suggested that because Norway had not awarded him the Nobel Peace Prize for what he described as having stopped eight wars, he felt no obligation to prioritize peace and instead would pursue policies aligned with what is "good and proper for the United States of America." Sanders underscored the unconventional nature of this rationale, highlighting the inappropriateness of linking national security decisions to personal sentiments about awards. Colbert, the show's host, responded to Sanders’ remarks by noting that the situation was "sad" and capable of making observers upset. Following his television appearance, Sanders reinforced his stance via a post on the social media platform X. He condemned the notion of a U.S. president threatening to invade Greenland on the basis of not receiving a Nobel Prize as "pathetic." He further clarified that such behavior does not align with legitimate foreign policy objectives but instead reflects a leader reacting defensively because of hurt feelings. Sanders concluded by declaring this conduct as "unacceptable." The controversy originated when Norway made public the text message President Trump had sent to Prime Minister Støre, in which Trump linked his consideration of Greenland’s acquisition to his disappointment over the Nobel Peace Prize. The president’s communication implied a shift away from a traditional peace-oriented stance towards a focus on U.S. strategic interests. President Trump has argued that control over Greenland holds critical importance for U.S. national security. He asserts that "complete and total control" of Greenland is necessary to counter the influence and activities of Russia and China within the Arctic region. Alongside these assertions, the president has also threatened to escalate tariffs on Denmark and several European allies starting February 1 if they do not agree to sell the island to the United States. This aggressive posture has caused concern among NATO partners and has unsettled financial markets. The reaction in Washington has not been limited to Sanders’ criticism. Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts publicly suggested invoking the 25th Amendment to remove President Trump from office, citing what he described as "erratic behavior" connected to the Greenland matter and specifically referencing the content of Trump’s Nobel-linked message. This reflects a broader unease within political circles over the president’s approach to this foreign policy issue. The Greenland proposal and its associated controversies underline increasing tensions between the executive branch’s strategic objectives and established diplomatic protocols. The situation remains dynamic as political actors continue to debate the appropriateness and potential consequences of the president’s actions regarding the Arctic territory.