Don Jr. Picked up Homeless to Pose as MAGA Supporters in Nuuk, Greenland

Normal practice in MAGA-land perhaps, but news in Nuuk

In Nuuk, the Capital of Greenland, it is difficult to hide in the crowd. Mainly because the crowds are small, and it’s just a small, close-knit society of friendly and open people. On his flash visit to Nuuk on Tuesday, the Trump team led by Don Jr. did not manage to conceal their deception - simply picking up random people in the street to pose as MAGA supporters at a staged event. Many of the people invited were identified by locals as homeless that are known to hang out in front of the general store. Which by the way is just opposite the hotel where the Don Jr. event was held.

Screenshot from the website of Danish tabloid Ekstra Bladet.

Nuuk and Copenhagen based news media were on the spot and documented what was going on. The tabloid Ekstra Bladet brings video documentation as well as interviews with some of the participants. One lady says, this guy just came over and said, come over to the hotel and have lunch. She has a MAGA hat placed loosely on top of her knitted headgear. Obviously a normal, cold day in Nuuk, with a nice but weak sun shining.

The reporter asks the lady: Do you know who this guy is (who is inviting)? She twists her face to try and say - Strump! with a smile and continues to smile when she is corrected, then tries ‘Trumpi’ with more smiles. These people are invited to fill the room and they are happy to accept a meal at a place where they are not likely to come otherwise.

Danish public service broadcaster DR follows up on the story and has ample evidence in the form of interviews with locals, including the store manger who has daily contact with many of the people who were picked up. The store manager saw the Trump team distribute MAGA hats and invite people in front of the store to a free lunch. He underlines that there is nothing wrong with expressing a political opinion and that not all the people in the video are from the group in front of his store.

DR even interviews a Greenlandic member of Folketinget, the Danish Parliament, Aaja Chemnitz (IA, Socialist Party), who also recognizes people on the footage from the lunch event.

She criticizes the method in sharp terms.

I don't think it's right. As I see it, people have been given a free meal in exchange for them wearing a cap and being extras in a video for social media and podcast.

- I can see that at least some of those in the picture are not politically active, says Aaja Chemnitz.

So you're left with the feeling that the Trump people have "bought" these people for their campaign?

- There is no such thing as a free lunch. Greenland is already great and should not be bought by Trump, says Aaja Chemnitz.

On social media, a discussion among locals rated the Don Jr. event as similar to the visit by the comedian Conan a few years ago, actually in the wake of Trump senior’s first attempt to buy Greenland in 2019. Memorably, the local guide pokes Conan in his belly and says, you Americans, you’re so fat! and invites him home for a healthy Greenland meal of fresh fish and potatoes. On the Internet, locals rate this visit on the same scale, as a good laugh.