Anthem Booing Sparks Immediate Reaction The Memphis Grizzlies faced the Orlando Magic at London’s O₂ Arena while Vanessa Williams performed the U.S. national anthem, and portions of the crowd responded with boos and cheers [1][2]. A spectator shouted “leave Greenland alone” during the rendition, prompting scattered laughter and applause before Williams completed the song [2]. Video posted on X captured the mixed reaction and highlighted the charged atmosphere surrounding the event [1].

Heckler’s Shout Links to Greenland Policy The chant directly referenced President Donald Trump’s ongoing campaign to secure U.S. control over Greenland, a semi‑autonomous territory of Denmark [1][2]. Trump has publicly declared that anything short of full U.S. possession is unacceptable, framing the issue as a matter of national security [2]. The protester’s demand echoed broader public frustration with Trump’s Greenland ambitions, which have already strained diplomatic ties with Denmark and NATO partners [1].

Trump’s Tariff Threats Heighten NATO Strain In parallel with the anthem incident, Trump announced punitive tariffs on countries perceived as obstructing a Greenland deal, starting at 10 % on February 1 and rising to 25 % on June 1 if no agreement is reached [1]. The tariff proposal intensified tensions with Denmark and other NATO allies, prompting UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to condemn the measures and affirm Greenland’s sovereignty under Danish authority [1]. These economic threats underscore the broader geopolitical fallout from the Greenland push, linking sports‑venue dissent to high‑level diplomatic conflict [1].