WASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump has sparked fresh controversy after sharing a map on social media depicting the United States stretching across North America and extending into Greenland and Iceland.
The image, posted during a flurry of social media activity over the Labor Day holiday weekend, showed the vast territory covered in the red, white and blue of the American flag and labelled as the United States of America.
The post did not include an explanation, but it quickly drew attention because of Trump’s previous remarks about making Canada the 51st state and taking control of Greenland.
The map has now triggered diplomatic backlash, particularly from Iceland and Denmark, and raised new concerns about US relations with its North Atlantic allies.
Iceland summons US ambassador
Iceland reacted strongly to Trump’s post.
The country’s government summoned US Ambassador Billy Long to formally express its objections after Iceland appeared on the map as part of the expanded United States.
Icelandic officials described the post as inappropriate and made clear that the country rejects any suggestion that its sovereignty could be treated lightly.
The controversy comes after earlier tensions involving remarks by US officials about Iceland’s place in the North Atlantic and its relationship with Greenland.
Greenland once again at centre of controversy
Trump has repeatedly expressed interest in Greenland, the vast Arctic territory that is self-governing but remains part of the Kingdom of Denmark.
His renewed focus on the territory has created diplomatic friction between Washington, Copenhagen and Nuuk.
Danish and Greenlandic leaders have consistently rejected suggestions that Greenland could become part of the United States.
The appearance of Greenland on Trump’s latest map therefore revived concerns that his earlier comments about acquiring the territory remain part of his broader geopolitical thinking.
Canada also included on map
The controversial image also showed Canada as part of the expanded US territory.
Trump has previously joked and spoken publicly about Canada becoming the 51st state, comments that have caused repeated irritation north of the border.
The latest map added to those tensions by visually presenting the idea of a dramatically expanded United States.
The post also reportedly included other parts of the Americas in imagery shared during Trump’s extended social media activity over the holiday weekend.
A wider social media blitz
The map was only one of several unusual posts shared by Trump during the holiday weekend.
His social media activity included discussions about renaming places and sharing AI-generated imagery.
Among the ideas that drew attention was a proposal involving a new name for the US state of New Mexico.
Trump has previously pursued changes to the names of geographic features, making his latest posts part of a broader pattern of using social media to promote controversial ideas about geography, national identity and American power.
European concerns grow
The controversy comes at a sensitive time for relations between the United States and its European partners.
The Arctic and North Atlantic have become increasingly important because of security concerns, shipping routes, natural resources and competition among major powers.
Greenland’s strategic location has made it particularly significant in discussions involving the United States, Europe, Russia and China.
The European Union has also been increasing its engagement with Greenland, including new investment plans, as European leaders seek to strengthen ties with the Arctic territory.
Why the map caused such a strong reaction
Although the social media post did not announce an official policy, its imagery carried significant political weight.
The map appeared to suggest an expanded United States that included several sovereign nations and territories.
For countries such as Iceland and Denmark, the image was particularly sensitive because of Trump’s previous public comments regarding territorial expansion.
Diplomats and political leaders have therefore treated the post as more than just an online joke, especially given the importance of sovereignty and security in the North Atlantic region.
The bottom line
Donald Trump’s social media post showing the US flag covering North America, Greenland and Iceland has sparked diplomatic controversy across the North Atlantic.
Iceland summoned the US ambassador to protest the image, while the inclusion of Greenland revived long-running tensions over Trump’s interest in the Danish territory.
The post offered no official explanation, but it came against the backdrop of Trump’s previous calls for Canada to become a US state and his repeated interest in Greenland.
What began as a social media post has quickly become another source of diplomatic tension, highlighting how questions of sovereignty and territorial ambition remain highly sensitive across the North Atlantic.
WWC ONE MEDIA J.M.D
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