Charles Moore is the former editor of The Telegraph, and currently a contributor to both The Telegraph and The Spectator. He is England’s most distinguished conservative journalist, a one-man antidote to the venom spewed by The Guardian and the BBC. He’s not happy with Trump’s latest antics over Greenland. More on this stern judge can be found here: “Trump treats America’s enemies better than its friends,” by Charles Moore, Telegraph, January 19, 2026:
When it first became clear, way back, that Donald Trump wanted the Nobel Peace Prize, I suggested that he should be given it straight away. To those who objected (correctly) that he did not deserve it, I replied that the Nobel committee had given it to Barack Obama before he had achieved any peace anywhere. They had appeased one US president. Why not another?
I think I was right. The president’s petulant letter to the Norwegian prime minister leaked today confirms, in effect, that if only Trump had received the famous bauble and accompanying white-tie banquet in Oslo, he would not be threatening to annex Greenland. He says himself that the Nobel snub put him on the warpath.
Anyway, it is too late now and the existence of Nato is in doubt. The head of the Atlantic alliance is threatening to invade a member state (Greenland being part of the Kingdom of Denmark). Article 5 of Nato’s founding North Atlantic Treaty declares that an attack on one is an attack on all: it does not envisage the tragi-comic possibility that the attacker might itself be a Nato member.
The mere fact that some Nato allies, including Britain, dared object has caused Trump to announce new tariffs against them.If, as he says, his motive is to defend the High North against aggression from Russia and China, that could and should be addressed at a Nato level. It is exactly the sort of Atlantic security issue that the alliance exists to address. Even though the United States has the 1951 bilateral treaty with Denmark over Greenland, that agreement declaredly involves Nato interests.
But is strategic defence the president’s real motive? No: he wants all that land and all its minerals for his growing American empire (plus fringe benefits for the Trump family as well)….
Think of how Trump has been treating Israel, by putting Qatar and Turkey, both supporters of Hamas and both enemies of Israel, on the Board of Peace that, among other tasks, will oversee the reconstruction of Gaza. Israel is furious at this betrayal by Trump, who knew perfectly well that such appointments were anathema to Israel. Now the Jewish state is made to look as if it is the stumbling block to Trump’s grandiose and ill-conceived peace plan for Gaza.
Trump should stop this unhinged talk about taking over Greenland in order to protect it from Russian and Chinese encroachments. The Americans already have a base there, and Denmark has said it has no objection to a greater American military presence.
Trump should instead worry about another takeover — that by Muslim migrants, who, through relentless demographic conquest, are becoming an ever greater presence in Western Europe. There are already 44 million Muslims inside Europe, with millions more arriving each year. The indigenous European women have fertility rates of 1.38 per woman, way below the replacement level of 2.1, while the fertility rates of Muslim women in Europe are close to 2.4. These Muslim migrants cost the European exchequers more than $100 billion a year, that is spent on lavishing every sort of benefit on these economic migrants: free or greatly subsidized housing (sometimes they are put up in luxury hotels), free medical care, free education including language training, family allowances, and cash payments to cover food and incidentals. Germany alone spends $30 billion a year on immigrants, who are overwhelmingly Muslims from North Africa and the Middle East.
Trump should turn his attention from the High North to the countries of Europe, and how to help rescue them, while there is still time, from the consequences of their folly, in admitting millions of Muslims who regard their hosts as “the most vile of created beings,” and instead of integrating into those “infidel-created” societies, are determined to further their own agenda, which is to promote a Europe where “Islam dominates and is not to be dominated.” This silly staking of a ludicrous, attention-wasting claim to Greenland has to stop.
somehistory says
The nations are being gathered for Armageddon. It has been foretold. There is no way to stop it.
Wellington says
Charles Moore has missed the big picture. Trump has already on several occasions lectured pathetic Western Europe on its suicidal immigration policies and, per the art of the deal, it seems Trump is going to ensure America’s effective control over Greenland by upping the ante initially per threatening to actually take over Greenland before backing away from de jure annexation and thus to de facto control over the Earth’s largest island. Stunning how even many conservatives remain clueless of what Trump is so very often up to.
I will close here by noting what I think to date appears at present a true Trump failure, i.e., his recent stance on Iran. Unless Trump still has something planned to severely hurt the hideous Iranian regime, and by the day this seems not to be the case though I hope I am wrong, then, no doubt, this has been a policy failure by Trump. I am also concerned about Trump’s relationship with Qatar, which would be a nothing of a country minus Western technology know-how (ditto for all of the Islamic world—hey, you gettin’ any of this, MBS?).
I would welcome comments on this comment of mine, whether about Greenland, Iran or Qatar. I indulge myself by thinking that because I am a conservative and not a mind-numbed Leftist this translates to my being able to disagree with anyone (e.g., Trump) when I deem a person wrong. In brief, I can think for myself which is a capacity I cannot extend to any Leftist.
GE says
Hi Wellington,
I can’t find anything wrong with any of your statements. I worry about what Trump is/is not doing regarding Iran.
And Qatar is NOT our friend. No Muslim country is.
So I agree with you totally. Great minds think alike???
Wellington says
Indeed, GE.
MJ Raichyk, PhD says
Agreed, that Trump was playing games and not really fixated on his front proposal… Consider the timing.. the Europeans surprisingly did not seem eager to favor peace on Russia/Ukraine… it was downright mentally insane with talking like they were ready to jump right in with troops and weapons…
Trump’s move on Greenland suddenly snapped them in that direction and seemed to diminish focus on marching to Ukraine… Especially as Trump made clear that they weren’t even paying their share of NATO needs, so cough THAT up too…
Secondly, I wonder how much of Trump’s game is to TEST just how UNEUROPEAN, the UK, Germany and France have become….
The very thought of UNEUROPEAN LEADERS with NUKES as ”NATO ALLIES” is downright creepy… Don’t you agree?
TTYL
࿗Infidel࿘ says
Wellington
While I love Trump’s domestic policy, including the Immigration ones, I do think his foreign policy has been pretty ordinary. Some, like Russia, have been b’cos Putin is obdurate for being in a no-win situation, but in many of the others, I’m really underwhelmed
⮞ Israel – by putting pressure on Israel, whether it’s at the behest of Qatar or anyone else, he has given Hamas a fresh lease on life, so that now, they are bold enough to openly declare that they will not disarm. Then he’s also obstructed Israeli moves to annex Judea and Samaria, which is inexplicable: contrast that to his previous recognition of their annexation of the Golan Heights. Finally, and most unforgivably, IMHO, was him last year berating Israel for trying to topple the Iranian regime. Had they done it then, all the thousands of people who’ve died this month would still be alive
⮞ Qatar – this is the one Arab country that did not do what Trump called on islamic countries to do in 2017 – stop funding jihad hatred and terror. Saudi Arabia complied, Emirates complied, as did Bahrein. But Qatar had been a holdout, and in 2020, he had the right idea when he disagreed w/ Pompeo and agreed w/ the Saudi/Egypt/UAE/Bahrein stance that Qatar was a problem. Doha hasn’t changed any policies, but Trump has
⮞ Armenia-Azerbaijan – he got a peace deal b/w Armenia and Azerbaijan, but I have seen nothing anywhere on what Armenia got out of it. Not only did Armenia lose Artsakh, but they also lost a corridor on their border w/ Iran. While it is the fault of Armenia’s leaders for not insisting on the return of territory, that agreement gave the Turkey-Azeri axis the upper hand
⮞ India-Pakistan – India was battering Pakistani military and jihadist camps, while not going after civilians. Trump’s intervention – again in his vainglorious pursuit of his Nobel Prize, gave Pakistan a breather and reinforced the opinion of many Indians that the US can never be an ally of India, regardless of who’s in the White House. In the process, India, which is the 4th member of Quad and extends the US alliance to the Indian Ocean – a sharp contrast from the Cold War – was needlessly alienated
⮞ Turkey – Again, by totally disregarding Turkey’s aggressive posture in the East Mediterranean, whether it’s against Israel, Cyprus, Armenia or Greece, he’s making Erdogan the leading power in the region. I just wonder what will happen if there is a Turko-Israel flareup anytime
⮞ Venezuela – Maduro’s capture was great, but now Venezuela is in a weird position, where it still has the same Leftist regime, but it cannot continue to deal w/ Russia, Iran or China. Its crackdown on its own people continues. Also, while he wants US companies to help the Venezuelans resurrect their oil industry, the problem, as they rightly point out, is that the institutional protections that existed per-Chavez is still not there. Venezuela does need a new regime that will re-instate, maybe w/ some improvements, the protection of the investments that the private sector – either Venezuelan or foreign – makes, before that can happen
⮞ Nigeria – since the US cannot dedicate a sustained war on Boko Haram and its affiliates, he should have never brought that up. Despite the one bombing, the persecution of Christians continues
I just wonder how much of this is Trump’s own instincts vs that of residual State Department wonks or lobbyists in DC? He’s had a good, if not great first year – employment is not shooting up the way it did in 2017, maybe thanks to the irrational obsession w/ AI doing everything. But on the world stage, his instincts have been downright bizarre
Wellington says
I am in basic accord with your analyses here, Infidel. Thanks for the comment.
Keys says
Wellington –
I agree with your post here. I am concerned about the same things regarding Trump “policy/action”, but hopeful. He has great instincts, but he has personal weaknesses, of course, that can affect them. He has incredible energy in working for the good of our beloved country, unlike any President I have ever seen. He is a man for this season, but not for all seasons.
MJ Raichyk, PhD replied to you:
“The very thought of UNEUROPEAN LEADERS with NUKES as ”NATO ALLIES” is downright creepy… Don’t you agree?”
I completely agree. The USA must have total control over Greenland. Within 30 to 50 years nuclear Europe will be controlled by Muslims unless things change there, which is unlikely. Also, the resources that are there must at least pay for the cost of this “golden shield”, bases, etc.
So, with Alaska and Greenland attacks from the north can be covered. But just as critical are attacks on the mainland from the flanks, east/west coasts.
Also, China in South America (Mexico has not been friendly either) means possible disguised attacks from the south (Russian nukes in Cuba point to this possibility).
And, maybe most likely of all – future attacks from space, or from within the country, if Dems get back in control of the borders, etc.
So, Greenland is necessary, but just one piece.
Kepha says
I am always bothered when an American president speaks loudly but carries only a little stick. Obama’s “red lines” in Syria was one such disastrous case; I fear Trump’s remarks on Iran (which, admittedly, has an utterly hideous regime) may be another case.
BTW, rate the wake of the Maduro arrest, I saw a lot of ethnic Chinese posting AI-generated FB vids of heicopters snatching up Winnie-the=Pooh (Xi Jinping).
࿗Infidel࿘ says
I know that President Trump doesn’t disdain that which many conservatives and even MAGA supporters disdain, be it various institutions within the country (Kennedy Center, for instance) or outside (UN, the Nobel committee…) But his being obsessed about them is undermining his support, and I’m talking about on the Right, not people in the squishy center who can easily vote either (R) or (D)
He has not thought Greenland through, especially if he’s at all interested in the GOP retaining power after 2028:
⮞ Grabbing Greenland would mean that he’d have to give them something major. Either subsidize everybody there at least to the level that Denmark does, or make them a state. Which would infuriate a lot of territories w/ far greater populations, like Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa…..
⮞ If he makes Greenland a state, and their people have already made it clear they don’t wanna be a part of US, then all that will do is make them vote (D) out of spite, and give us 2 more (D) senators. When control of the Senate is that close
⮞ One argument against granting statehood to Puerto Rico is that the people of that territory aren’t English speaking: Tucker Carlson, back in I think 2017, suggested to their governor that they ask for complete independence. The same argument applies to Greenland: their language is nothing like English: it’s not a even a Germanic language like Danish. So granting Greenland statehood ahead of others like Puerto Rico will look politically and legally indefensible
⮞ Also, the long term opportunity – that Greenland has rich natural resources that would be visible once their ice melts – is untested in terms of the viability. In other words, how many people would be willing to move there to those mining sites, were they do materialize? It took us a while to exploit the oil in Alaska
As Hugh noted, Denmark has no issues w/ a greater US military presence in Greenland, and like Charles Moore suggested, it’s precisely the raison d’être of NATO, something people have been questioning now for decades. Although I daresay Russia’s Ukraine war has completely exposed them as a paper tiger, and it remains to be seen what sort of military punch does China have
England Invaded says
Essentially Trump needs a participation award so he doesn’t freak out. Not great really.
Obama wasn’t given the prize to appease him, it was because he was black – that’s it.
Although being married to big Mike might have scored a few more points also.
As I also said the other day, Trumps over the top way of getting what he wants has gone in to levels of insanity with Greenland.
Recently criticising the UK for giving always the Chagos as well (which is absolutely worthy of criticism to say the least) why didn’t Trump do that nearly a year ago? Instead he gave one of the dumbest giveaways his blessing then. Most were expecting him to pull the plug on Chagos when he came to power. Especially since it was the Biden administration who gave the OK to traitor Starmer on this hand over. If people doubt that, live in the real world. The UK could not hand it over without the say so from the US. Trumps needs to revoke that ASAP, even if it’s a year late.
Bridgette says
Trump has Greenland in the bag which he needs for the west’s protection and the tariffs were dropped.
Tony says
President Trump is not perfect as we need and want because he fails to identify Islam and its Muslims, enemies of all Non-Muslims, as a Criminal-Terrorist-Gang Enterprise against all Non-Muslims as taught in Islam’s Qur’an(Qur’an 9:5, 29, 111; 49:15; 98:6-7, etc.), but President Trump is trying to protect America and the West by helping identify and expose our Leftist Enemies(eg. Democrat Party, American Leaders, European Leaders, China Leaders, Russian Leaders, Western Leaders, etc. Every Western Leader must do their part as well to help their citizens or get voted out quickly.
Allah’s Islam, a CRIMINAL-TERRORIST-GANG ENTERPRISE and a MURDEROUS-DEMONIC CULT OF BELIEVERS, Terrorist Muslim Soldiers for satanic Allah, continually fund, promote, and practice ideological subversion, propaganda, bigotry, discrimination, deceit, industrial-scale slavery, human trafficking, intimidation, supremacy, segregation, hatred, incitement to violence, criminality, genocide, victimhood, censorship, and terrorism as taught in Islamic Law, Sharia, and in Islam’s Qur’an(Qur’an 5:14,35; 8:60; 9:41, 88, etc.). Islam and its Muslims, enemies of Non-Muslims, are a Muslim Terrorist Organization(MTO).
Allah describes Muslim women in Jenna, Allah’s Paradise, as whores of Allah in Qur’an 56:37. Also, Deceitful Allah stirs hatred against Christians until the resurrection day when Qur’an 5:14 instructs, “And some of those who say, ‘Surely we are Nasara (Christians),’ we took their covenant. So they have forgotten a part of what they were reminded of, so we have stirred up ENMITY and HATRED among them until the resurrection day. And Allah will inform them of what they were doing.” See also Qur’an 2:225; 60:4; 8:55.
As taught by Allah, Muslims are supremacist terrorists for Allah with their MONEY and with their LIVES while undermining a society from within using the man-made book of lies and deceit, the Qur’an. Allah in Qur’an 49:15 states, “Surely the believers[Muslims] are only those who believed in Allah and his messenger. They do not doubt, and they performed jihad with their MONEY and their LIVES for the sake of Allah. Those are the truthful.” As evidenced by continuous Muslim attacks, Allah in Qur’an 4:101 says, “…Surely the infidels(Non-Muslims) were your clear enemies.”
ALLAH’S MUSLIMS are a greater TERROR than diabolical Allah. Allah in Qur’an 59:13 says, “You[Muslims] are a greater terror in their chests than Allah. This is because they[Jews & Christians] are people who do not understand.” Islam must be banned as illegal, and we have the legal right to defend ourselves from Muslim violence. As a result, Non-Muslims are marked for death by Islam and its Muslims. Allah in Qur’an 9:29 commands, “Engage in war with those who do not believe in Allah nor in the last day. Nor forbid what Allah and his messenger forbid, nor believe in the religion of the truth among those who have given the book until they pay the jizyah out of hand and they are subdued.”
Again, Islam is a civilization-destroying, totalitarian, and supremacist system of lies and deceit because Allah, the best deceiver, is the actual source of Muslim deceit as taught in Islam’s Qur’an. Muslims under Islam’s system of deceit are more easily controlled because there is no foundation for truth in Islam. Allah in Qur’an 3:54 says, “And they deceived, and Allah deceived. And Allah is the best deceiver.” Allah in Qur’an 8:30 says, “…And Allah is the best deceiver.” Allah in Qur’an 13:42 says, “And indeed, those before them deceived, so to Allah all the deception…”
Transmaster says
And Trump walks out of Davos with a win. He got what he wanted. When asked if he was discussing Greenland with Denmark, Trump said no. He pointed to Mark Rutt, NATO Secretary General. I am talking with him; he is all that counts.
Regarding the Greenlanders’ reluctance to join the United States, the information being disseminated on “X” does not accurately reflect their sentiments. In fact, Greenlanders, particularly the Inuit, express a strong desire to sever ties with Denmark. The anticipated outcome is that Greenland will attain Commonwealth status akin to Puerto Rico. This status would grant Greenland self-governance, while the United States would retain control over the currency, trade, and immigration policies. Consequently, Greenlanders would become citizens of the United States.
Transmaster says
So much for the AI, Greenlander, when posting or being interviewed on “X” expresses a strong desire to sever ties with Denmark. It is the issue of Statehood, or Commonwealth status, that is being debated.
Chelseaboy says
Dubious assessment of the virws of Greenland people who are looked after very well by Denmark.
The polar Island isn’t going to change ownership. Why would America want the cost when it can do exactly what it wants anyway? Trump just looks crazy right Jo’s
࿗Infidel࿘ says
Chelseaboy
Why does Denmark want to keep paying subsidies to the Greenland people? What are they getting out of it? Right now, it’s just a money pit. I’d say that they should sell the island to the US, or maybe even accept the trade for Puerto Rico
gravenimage says
Most Greenlanders want to stay with Denmark. Even though fairly impractical, a few want to see an independent Greenland. No Greenlanders are demanding that the US take over that I have seen. We already have a major air base there.
࿗Infidel࿘ says
One reason that Greenland hasn’t asked Denmark for independence is that they currently get a lot of subsidies from Copenhagen, which would go away if they went that route. Frankly, if I was a Dane, I’d support cutting Greenland loose and maybe selling it to the US. I’d even consider the trade for Puerto Rico, so that it can be a winter tourist destination for its citizens
From Greenland’s POV, if they were to become a part of the US, why would they want to be anything less than a state? Where they too get to vote in US elections?
truth says
i’m confused. Trump is insane we all know that but now you expect him to save Europe to. Is that really what i just read?? So he’s supposed to stop what all of the europe leader have allowed. Someone explain to me how this works other than actual warfare?? Don’t get me wrong if trump came out today and said we’re going to liberate the UK AGAIN i’d be ok with that but that won’t happen. i’m confused on what the article is trying to say. The greenland stuff is ridiculously but saving europe WOW that’s a huge task. I don’t think trump has saving anything in him. The only thing he cares about is himself.
bill says
I think there is logic in what DT proposes. Denmark is a small country and Greenland is far away from it. If the Chinese or Russia tried to set up bases in Greenland, could Denmark defend its colony? Would the rest of Nato come to its aid? In any case it would be a costly exercise. USA is much better placed to defend Greenland and if the US had bases there it would be very hard for an agressor to try to move in.
Actually I am surprised that Canada has not taken over Denmark’s colony before now.
gravenimage says
Denmark is a member of NATO.
Ralph says
I accept as cogent Trump’s reasoning why the US should have control of Greenland, but I think the President’s mouth is a bit in arrears of his brain. Trump should have entered negotiations with Denmark via the State Department, quietly, diplomatically, and not bombastically. He would learn that “you can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar”.
Dr K says
Charles Moore ? Never heard of him.
Who cares what he thinks !
Trump is dismantling the Globalists, that’s a mighty start . Back in your box with your ego Charles , go away !
Daniel Triplett says
Regardless of my disappointments regarding Trump and Islam, he’s clear-eyed and correct about Greenland. It’s strategic military value is immense. Whoever controls Greenland controls the North Atlantic and Arctic, with both military and commercial sea lane traffic, air traffic routes, and space defense for North America.
We need Greenland, and I’m happy Trump sees this too and is willing to strong arm anyone necessary to posess this territory for America. Our being a tenant of Denmark isn’t good enough. Landlords can kick us out. Landlords can accommodate other tenants adversarial to the US. We need deed and ownership.
Were defending it anyway, because Denmark can’t. The Danes would be speaking German and saluting the swastika had Americans not sacrificed our blood and treasure rescuing and liberating their sovereignty. We neither asked for nor received anything in return. The Danes should accept our reasonable price and say, “Thank you,” finally, for continuing to defend their sovereignty for them. All of NATO should support US control of Greenland. We defend all of them. NATO is nothing without us.
Longer term, I’d like to see us end the pissing match with Russia and China, and ally with them to defeat our common existential foe: ISLAM. I don’t have all the answers about how we become friends and form that alliance, but that’s where we need to be.
Trump seems to see this too. On Truth Social on Tuesday, he reposted a post saying:
” …China and Russia are the boogeyman when the real threat is the UN, NATO, and this “religion.” ”
https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/115928297468422986
Luchtpint says
“I think I was right. The president’s petulant letter to the Norwegian prime minister leaked today confirms, in effect, that if only Trump had received the famous bauble and accompanying white-tie banquet in Oslo, he would not be threatening to annex Greenland. He says himself that the Nobel snub put him on the warpath.”
That’s an act I’d rather ascribe to a petulant teenager than to the head of state of an independent nation. The man is totally vain and self-absorbed. He acts like a juvenile.
That’s totally incompreshesible in many ways. Totally irresponsible on the international stage.