• News
  • Film and TV
  • Music
  • Tech
  • Features
  • Celebrity
  • Politics
  • Weird
  • Community
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content
NBA heckler interrupts US National Anthem at London game with three-word Greenland chant

Home> News> US News

Published 09:16 19 Jan 2026 GMT

NBA heckler interrupts US National Anthem at London game with three-word Greenland chant

Actress Vanessa Williams was singing when the crowd erupted

Britt Jones

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."

Advert

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.

Donald Trump has been vocal about how he wants to occupy Greenland (Photo by Celal Gunes/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Donald Trump has been vocal about how he wants to occupy Greenland (Photo by Celal Gunes/Anadolu via Getty Images)

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:

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.

Vanessa Williams was singing the US National Anthem when she was interrupted by a crowd member in London (Photo by Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images)
Vanessa Williams was singing the US National Anthem when she was interrupted by a crowd member in London (Photo by Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images)

“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."

Featured Image Credit: Glyn KIRK / AFP via Getty Images

Topics: NBA, Sport, Donald Trump, Greenland, Politics, US News, London, UK News

Britt Jones
Britt Jones

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

an hour ago
2 hours ago
  • Anna Kepner/Instagram
    an hour ago

    Father of teen found dead on board Carnival Cruise ship speaks out as stepbrother charged in connection with case

    Anna Kepner was found stuffed under the bed in a cruise ship cabin last year

    News
  • Getty Images/Michael Blackshire
    an hour ago

    Mark Ruffalo issues scathing message to Shark Tank star after criticizing Billie Eilish

    Billie Eilish spoke in protest against ICE during her Grammys acceptance speech

    Celebrity
  • Getty Images/Halfpoint Images
    2 hours ago

    Relationship expert claims the 'right partner' will check these three boxes

    Finding the right person can take a very long time, but these three signs are all big green flags according to one expert

    News
  • Getty Images/m-gucci
    2 hours ago

    Man issues bowel cancer warning after experiencing one common symptom as rates rise in young people

    1 in 5 young people diagnosed with colorectal cancer are now under the age of 55

    News
  • Trump shares ominous three-word message on Greenland ahead of critical talks with European leaders
  • Donald Trump won’t ‘take anything off the table’ as he claims US will ‘100%’ acquire Greenland
  • Canadian national anthem singer takes aim at Donald Trump with controversial lyric change
  • People shocked by Trump's 'poor excuse' as to why US needs to take over Greenland