Trump has supported the intention of making Greenland a US state by presenting a bill in Parliament.
After Venezuela, Trump is now preparing to capture Greenland. American MP Fine has expressed his intention to make Green Land an American state by presenting a bill in the Parliament. Trump has also supported this bill. Greenland is the world’s largest island, located in the Arctic region and has attracted the attention of powers for centuries due to its vast ice sheet, harsh climate and strategic geographical location.
Often seen on social media and in some headlines, the sentence that Eric the Killer discovered Greenland is a reference to Erik the Red, who was a controversial character in Norse (Viking) history.Greenland’s history is not just one of discovery, but is made up of layers of indigenous peoples, Norse settlement, Danish control, and modern geopolitics. This keeps coming up in discussion often. Know what is the history of Greenland, who was Eric who discovered it?
Who was Eric the Red and why was he called a murderer?
Eric the Red was a person associated with the Norse community of the 10th century. The context of being called a murderer is that he was accused of violent fights and murder, which led to him being exiled from areas of Norway/Iceland. The traditions of law and revenge were harsh in Norse society at that time. Exile used to be common in serious disputes. Exile pushed Eric towards new lands and from here begins the story of the European discovery of Greenland.
Eric the Red.
How was Greenland discovered?
According to historical accounts, Eric the Red set sail from Iceland to the west. Even before that, there were reports of some sailors seeing land in the west, but Eric systematically went in that direction, explored the coasts and after returning, inspired people to settle there. He named this land Greenland, which is often considered a propaganda strategy. The idea was that hearing the name Green would attract people to settle there. In fact much of Greenland is covered with ice, although the weather in the southern coastal areas is comparatively mild during the summer. This discovery should be understood in a limited sense. Eric’s contribution was notable in terms of history, but Greenland was inhabited even before that in human history.
Was Greenland already inhabited?
The real story of Greenland begins with its Arctic natives. Cultures related to Inuit in different periods, in which the Thule culture is considered to be the major contribution. In the Arctic regions they lived a life dependent on hunting, fishing and sea creatures. To survive in the harsh environment they developed technology, clothing, boats and community structures. So if one says that Eric discovered Greenland, it is only partially true in the frame of European history. Human presence in Greenland goes back much further than that.
Greenland is no longer just a sheet of ice in international politics. Photo: Leon Neal/Getty Images
Why did Norse settlement come, how did it last, and why did it decline?
A wave of Norse settlement began after the return of Eric the Red. People moved there from Iceland and settled mainly in the south-western parts. These communities subsisted on farming, limited forms of animal husbandry, fishing, hunting, and trade. Some historical indications suggest that they were also involved in the trade of resources such as ivory.
Then the question arises why the Norse settlement did not last long? Historians generally point to several reasons. Increasing cold of the climate, changes in trade routes, lack of resources, isolation, and complexities of relations with the local population. The result was that the Norse community gradually weakened and after several centuries that phase of European settlement ended. In contrast, Inuit communities maintained continuity through a lifestyle adapted to Arctic conditions.
Ice covered Greenland. Photo: Leon Neal/Getty Images
Relations with Denmark and modern rule
Over time, Greenland’s political ties with Denmark strengthened and it came under the Danish monarchy. In the modern era, Greenland gained self-governing status, yet Denmark’s role in defense and some external affairs is still important. Greenland has its own local government, culture and identity and issues such as autonomy, resources, employment and climate change are prominent in its politics. The capital is Nuuk and the population is not even one lakh. The area of Greenland is more than 21 lakh square kilometers.
Greenland’s parties are opposing America
BREAKING:
All five parties in Greenland issue a statement.
We dont want to be Americans, we dont want to be Danish; we want to be Greenlanders. pic.twitter.com/KXHrOlPKOJ
— Globe Eye News (@GlobeEyeNews) January 10, 2026
Why is Greenland so important today?
Greenland is at the center of the modern world for three big reasons. Being in the Arctic region, it is important in terms of northern sea routes, surveillance systems and military strategy. According to the report of Center for Strategic and International Studies (CRIS),Greenland ranks eighth in the world in terms of reserves of rare minerals, 1.5 million tonnes of minerals are present here. There are two such rare mineral deposits which are among the largest in the world – Kvanefjeld and Tanbreez. Nevertheless, rare minerals have not been mined on the island to date.
Is it really easy to capture Greenland?
In practical terms, Greenland is an inhabited territory, has its own government, and is annexed to Denmark—so any invasion or forcible annexation would be a very serious and extraordinary step in realpolitik, with major diplomatic and legal consequences. Yes, it is true that countries like the US have had a strategic interest in Greenland, especially in terms of defence, Arctic security and surveillance. Trump had talked about buying Greenland in his first term. Now that his second term is going on, he wants to achieve it. Their morale is high after the military action on Venezuela. Despite many legal hurdles, if we look at Trump’s recent activities, it shows that he is an unpredictable president. Anytime, whatever he says, he does it.
Trump said – If Greenland is not captured, Russia or China will do it
HE JUST DID IT AGAIN!
After saying yesterday that if he didnt steal Venezuela someone else will he just said it again for Greenland.
If we don’t take Greenland, Russia or China will.”
The whole world is Palestine now. We told you this would happen.pic.twitter.com/5lghqwYFqp
— ADAM (@AdameMedia) January 12, 2026
A continuous story from history till today
The story of Greenland does not begin and end with one man—Erik the Red. He is certainly an important character who introduced Greenland to the Norse world, but the real history of the island is much broader than that. The centuries-old presence of Arctic indigenous peoples, the rise and fall of Norse settlement, the evolving relationship with Denmark, and today’s changing climate and global competition. It is a terrain where history, identity, resources and strategy all collide and connect together. It is for this reason that Greenland returns to the discussion of world politics again and again—and will continue to do so in the future.
Also read here: How much does India’s 100 rupees become in Greenland? On which Trump has his eye