Donald Trump posted a map on Truth Social depicting North and Central America, Canada, Mexico, Greenland, and Iceland under the U.S. flag, sparking a diplomatic flare‑up. The image, released without explanation, shows the continent draped in red, white and blue and has been widely condemned for its implied annexation of sovereign states.
Iceland’s Prime Minister, Kristrún Frostadóttir, called the map an insult to the nation and warned that such mockery of sovereignty is unacceptable. Her Foreign Minister, Þórður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir, summoned U.S. Ambassador Billy Long to convey Iceland’s disapproval and reaffirm the country’s independence.
Denmark’s leaders echoed the rebuke. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said the Greenlandic government had repeatedly stated it does not wish to become American, while Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen described the post as disturbing and urged restraint. In Mexico, President Claudia Sheinbaum declared her country’s sovereignty non‑negotiable and later reaffirmed Mexico’s independence on X.
The map is part of a broader pattern of Trump’s provocative social media activity over Labor Day weekend, including images that renamed New Mexico “New America” and an AI clip depicting the president striking Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. The administration’s foreign policy has also seen aggressive moves, such as the attempted renaming of Lake Ontario, military posturing over Greenland, and pressure on Cuba and Venezuela.
Iceland’s left‑leaning government moved quickly to hold a referendum on EU membership after the gaffe, while thousands of citizens signed a petition urging the prime minister to reject Ambassador Long, who had joked about Iceland becoming the 52nd U.S. state. A professor at Bifrost University noted that Icelanders now view the U.S. as an intimidator rather than a defender.
