Foreign Ministers Lars Rasmussen of Denmark (center) and Vivian Motzfeldt of Greenland (right with back to the camera) light up cigarettes outside the White House after a meeting with US Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio on January 14, 2026. Photo: screenshot of video circulating on X

A video clip showing the top diplomats of Denmark and Greenland sucking down cigarettes outside the White House on Wednesday after declaring their opposition to US President's plan to acquire the world's largest island has gone viral on the internet. Some netizens said the video showed their "stressful status" following the talks with the US. 

Foreign Ministers Lars Rasmussen of Denmark and Vivian Motzfeldt of Greenland were seen smoking together after presenting a united front against US annexation at a meeting with US Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, reported the New York Post on Wednesday. 

The report said that Rasmussen, whose chain smoking is legendary, appeared to be jonesing as he jogged from the talks to a nearby parking area — with a butt dangling from his mouth as he extended a cigarette and lighter to a seemingly nerve-wracked Motzfeldt.

The video has drawn intensive attention on social media platforms. Mario Nawfal, an internet influencer and podcast host with 2.8 million followers, said on X that "Watching Greenland's foreign minister chain-smoke with her Danish counterpart after meeting with Vance and Rubio tells you everything about Trump's acquisition push - They're stressed because Trump's serious."

"When words fail, nicotine speaks," wrote another netizen. While others said the current US administration has destroyed America's standing in the world and its allies trust in them in less than two years, and still the US Congress sits idly by, read the comment.

Others called the transatlantic alliance into question. "Time for the EU & Nordic countries to stop pandering to the US," one netizen wrote. "Europe needs to wake up. No army, no power, no say. Start defending what is European," said another.

Speaking to reporters after a sit-down at the White House complex with Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Denmark's foreign minister said that a "fundamental disagreement" remained with Trump, reported The New York Times.

Rasmussen added that the US President was insisting on "conquering" Greenland which was "totally unacceptable," and said there were "red lines" the US could not cross.

Denmark's defense ministry has announced that it will conduct additional military exercises on Greenland featuring "aircraft, vessels and soldiers" from its own military and those of its NATO allies. At least three member countries — Germany, France and Sweden — said on Wednesday that they would contribute to the exercises, per BBC.


Global Times