Britt Jones
An audience member in the UK heckled comments about Greenland, in light of Donald Trump’s desire to own the country, as the US National Anthem was being sang ahead of an NBA game.
Trump and his administration have not been quiet about their desire to take over Greenland, despite the European territory being an ally of the US.
The president has revealed his 'very serious' desire to buy the nation, claiming that it could not defend itself from a Russian or Chinese invasion.
Trump previously told journalists of his thoughts: "The problem is there's not a thing that Denmark can do about it if Russia or China wants to occupy Greenland, but there's everything we can do. You found that out last week with Venezuela."
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Of course, people have had very mixed reactions to this, with many taking to social media to air out their thoughts and debate the controversial subject.
Mostly, people around the world oppose the idea that you can buy or take over another country. But now, it seems that people are taking their opinions offline, and into the real world.
During the Memphis Grizzlies and the Orlando Magic regular-season game in London, UK on January 18, a member of the audience wanted to make their opinion known.
When Ugly Betty actress Vanessa Williams was singing ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ before the game at the O2 Arena, a person in the crowd interrupted her, as they shouted: "Leave Greenland alone.”
In response, members of the audience cheered.
Take a look at the moment below:
Loud booing for the US national anthem at the O2 this evening.
— Chris Daw KC (@crimlawuk) January 18, 2026
"Leave Greenland alone!" got a massive cheer. pic.twitter.com/X8HSRGg0Nl
This comes after Trump threatened countries who disapprove of his plans with higher forms of tariffs, with the president saying: “I may put a tariff on countries if they don’t go along with Greenland, because we need Greenland for national security. So I may do that.”
Those tariffs could be up to 25 percent.
Currently, Greenland is a self-governing nation controlled by Denmark, another US ally.
In response to his repeated threats, the UK, France, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and the Netherlands sent small military detachments to Greenland, as part of its 'reconnaissance' mission, with Denmark vowing to have a stronger military presence on the island.
Former President of the European Council and current Prime Minister of Poland, Donald Tusk, has been vocal against the US’ repeated claims to the country.
Tusk revealed at a press conference: “An attempt to take over (part of) a NATO member state by another NATO member state would be a political disaster.
“It would be the end of the world as we know it, which guaranteed a world based on NATO solidarity, which held back the evil forces associated with communist terror or other forms of aggression.”
The country's PM Jens Frederik Nielsen also spoke out about the controversy in a Facebook post.
"That's enough now," Nielsen said, explaining he is aware of his nation’s 'strategic location' which made it reliant on US military support. But alliances are built on trust. And trust requires respect," he said.
"Threats, pressure and talk of annexation do not belong anywhere between friends. That's not how you talk to people who have repeatedly shown responsibility, stability and loyalty.
“This is enough."