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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
World
Tom Burgis

How a billionaire with interests in Greenland encouraged Trump to acquire the territory

Ronald Lauder stands with his arms crossed
Ronald Lauder suggested to Trump in 2018 that the US buy Greenland. Photograph: Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan/Getty Images

One day during his first term, Donald Trump summoned a top aide to discuss a new idea. “Trump called me down to the Oval Office,” John Bolton, national security adviser in 2018, told the Guardian. “He said a prominent businessman had just suggested the US buy Greenland.”

It was an extraordinary proposal. And it originated from a longtime friend of the president who would go on to acquire business interests in the Danish territory.

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