January’s most read: Greenland threats & Iceland as the 52nd state
January 2026 was dominated by geopolitical drama in the Arctic, as U.S. rhetoric and actions toward Greenland and Iceland sparked outrage and diplomatic friction. From annexation threats to controversial jokes about statehood, the month’s top stories reflect a region grappling with sovereignty, security and shifting alliances.
Here are the five most read stories on Arctic Today this month:
1. U.S. will ‘soon’ annex Greenland, wife of top Trump aide implies
Katie Miller, wife of top Trump aide Stephen Miller, posted an image on X (formerly Twitter) showing Greenland covered in the U.S. flag with the text “SOON.” The post, which offered no explanation or official policy statement, quickly circulated and was interpreted as a suggestion that the U.S. plans to annex Greenland. The following day, President Donald Trump repeated his calls for the annexation of Greenland and refused to rule out the use of force. Danish and Greenlandic leaders responded with strong rebuke, calling on Trump to stop his “threats against a historically close ally.”
2. Trump’s Iceland ambassador pick apologizes for 52nd state comment
In an exclusive statement to Arctic Today, Billy Long, Trump’s nominee for U.S. ambassador to Iceland, apologized for joking that Iceland would become the 52nd U.S. state and that he would serve as its governor. Long claimed the comments were made in jest among friends and were not serious. However, the remarks sparked controversy in Iceland, with local politicians and the public criticizing them as disrespectful to Iceland’s sovereignty. An official petition was started demanding that Iceland’s Foreign Minister refuse to accept Long as ambassador.
3. Trump ally who inspired Greenland purchase idea quietly invests in Greenlandic companies
Ronald Lauder, the billionaire Estée Lauder heir who reportedly first suggested the idea of “buying” Greenland to Donald Trump, has quietly taken ownership stakes in Greenlandic companies. According to an investigation by the Danish newspaper Politiken, Lauder’s investments are seen as blurring the lines between private capital and geopolitical ambition, raising concerns about conflicts of interest and the influence of Trump-aligned figures in Greenland’s economy.
4. Trump forces Iceland to rethink its future security
In a commentary written for Arctic Today, a former Icelandic prime minister warned that Trump’s aggressive approach to Arctic policy—including rhetoric about annexing Greenland and imposing tariffs—is pushing Iceland to reassess its security, trade, and alliances. The article highlights growing unease in Iceland over U.S. actions and the potential long-term impact on transatlantic relations and NATO.
5. Trump’s Iceland ambassador nominee jokes country will become a U.S. state
Billy Long, Trump’s nominee for U.S. ambassador to Iceland, joked on the House floor that Iceland would become the 52nd U.S. state, with himself as governor. The comment, made amid heightened tensions over U.S. rhetoric toward Greenland, drew criticism in Iceland and fueled concerns about the Trump administration’s posture toward Arctic nations. Long later apologized, but the incident added to diplomatic friction in the region.
