Trump Announces Hospital Ship Deployment After Submarine Rescue President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social on 21 February 2026, declaring a “great hospital boat” would sail to Greenland and sharing an AI‑generated image of the USNS Mercy [3][4]. He framed the move as a response to a Danish‑led evacuation of a U.S. submarine crew member near Nuuk earlier that day, which was handled by a helicopter from the frigate HDMS Vædderen [3][4]. The announcement referenced coordination with Louisiana Governor and U.S. Special Envoy Jeff Landry, though no official details on the vessel’s deployment were provided [5][6].

Greenland Government Rejects Offer Citing Free Universal Care Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens‑Frederik Nielsen posted on Facebook that the island “does not need” a U.S. hospital ship, emphasizing its publicly funded, cost‑free health system and issuing a firm “no thank you” [1][2][3][4][5][6][7]. He warned Washington against “random outbursts” on social media and urged dialogue instead [2][7]. Nielsen’s stance aligns with Greenland’s recent agreement with Denmark to treat patients in Danish hospitals, underscoring existing medical capacity [3].

Denmark Says No Notification and No Need for U.S. Aid Danish Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen told broadcaster DR that Denmark received no advance notice of any U.S. hospital‑ship plan and that Greenland already enjoys adequate health services locally or in Denmark [1][4][6][7]. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen echoed this, highlighting Denmark’s universal health‑care model as sufficient for Greenland and criticizing any U.S. “ambitions” toward the island [1][4][7]. Both officials dismissed the proposal as unnecessary and potentially provocative [1][4].

Hospital Ship Remains Docked in Alabama, No Evidence of Departure Maritime tracking showed USNS Mercy (and its sister ship USNS Comfort) still undergoing maintenance at a Mobile, Alabama shipyard, with no sign of departure toward Greenland [2][4][5]. The Pentagon and Navy redirected inquiries to the White House, offering no clarification on deployment feasibility [4][5]. This discrepancy between Trump’s claim and the ship’s actual status fuels skepticism about the plan’s realism [2][5].

U.S. Arctic Strategy Links Health Aid to Security Interests Special Envoy Jeff Landry defended the hospital‑ship idea on X, labeling the rejection “shameful” and portraying the effort as “American First Charity” [2][7]. Analysts noted the episode coincides with Washington’s broader push for Arctic access, including missile‑warning and defense projects on Greenland [2][7]. The health‑aid proposal therefore appears intertwined with strategic objectives, heightening diplomatic strain among the United States, Denmark, and Greenland [1][2][7].