Trump announces massive oil, gas and mineral exploration in Greenland

Trump posted on Truth Social that extensive resource exploration will begin in Greenland, a self‑governing Danish territory, after a September security agreement.

By Felo News Desk · Published Wed, 14 Oct 2026 14:52:27 GMT

U.S. President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social on Wednesday that "massive" oil, gas and mineral exploration is set to begin in "our new and beautiful Greenland" early that day.

What happened

Trump’s post followed a campaign stop in Wasilla, Alaska, where he supported Republican Senator Dan Sullivan. The announcement came after a September agreement among the United States, Denmark and Greenland that paved the way for expanded U.S. military activity in the Arctic.

What the reports add

The Independent noted that Trump’s message emphasized the strategic security value of Greenland, claiming any future attack on the United States would have to cross the island and that U.S. defenses could intercept drones and missiles there.
The Winnipeg Free Press, citing the Associated Press, said it was unclear which specific exploration projects Trump was referring to and highlighted that Greenland is a self‑governing territory of Denmark, not part of the United States.
The Independent reported that Greenland’s parliament is debating the September security agreement, with opposition lawmakers warning about the lack of guaranteed financial compensation for the extensive rights granted to Washington.
The Associated Press explained that the September deal does not grant the United States any special exploration rights, but it does place limits on investments by non‑NATO countries in strategic sectors and paves the way for additional U.S. bases.

What was said

“Massive Oil, Gas, and Mineral Exploration is getting ready to begin in our new and beautiful Greenland!”

Trump wrote this in his Truth Social post, adding:

“There are Experts that are saying that the amount of easily available Oil is far greater than that of almost any land, anywhere in the World and, even more importantly, from a Security Purpose in the Defense and Offense of both the United States of America, and Europe, is second to none.”

He continued:

“Any future attack on the United States will have to come across Greenland, where our Defense will routinely knock down drones, missiles, or any other form of weapon not yet even conceived. It gives us time, location, and sightline, like nowhere else in the World!”

The Associated Press quoted Trump’s post but did not provide additional verbatim statements beyond the Truth Social excerpt.

How it came about

The announcement follows the Arctic security pact signed in September, which was covered by Felo News in an article about Greenland leaders signing a U.S. security agreement (greenland-arctic-security-deal). That deal, attended by Greenland premier Jens‑Frederik Nielsen, Denmark’s prime minister Mette Frederiksen and President Trump, has raised concerns among Greenlanders about increased U.S. presence and influence. While the pact expands U.S. military operations, it does not confer new exploration rights to American companies, according to the Associated Press.

Key facts

President Donald Trump announced that massive oil, gas and mineral exploration will begin in Greenland. (independent.co.uk)
The announcement followed a September security agreement between the U.S., Denmark and Greenland. (winnipegfreepress.com)
Trump posted the announcement on Truth Social after a campaign event in Wasilla, Alaska. (winnipegfreepress.com)

Where accounts differ

Clarity of the exploration projects: Trump described the exploration as extensive and strategic. (independent.co.uk); It wasn’t immediately clear what exploration or developments the president was referring to. (winnipegfreepress.com)
Status of Greenland: Trump referred to Greenland as "our" territory. (independent.co.uk); Greenland is a self‑governing territory of Denmark, not part of the United States. (winnipegfreepress.com)