Trump's Greenland Ambitions Divide GOP Support

Sat Feb 14 2026 00:57:38 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A recent poll reveals significant disapproval among Republicans regarding President Trump's attempt to assert control over Greenland, highlighting a fracture within his party on this foreign policy issue.

According to a new AP-NORC poll, about 70% of U.S. adults disapprove of Trump's handling of Greenland, including nearly half of Republicans. Despite his push for U.S. control over the territory citing national security concerns, many believe the approach is misguided. Younger Republicans express especially strong disapproval, representing a notable shift within Trump's traditionally loyal base. The poll, conducted from February 5 to 8, showcases a growing rift among party members over this controversial issue.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump's recent proposal to assert control over Greenland has ignited a wave of disapproval not only among the general public but also within his own Republican party. A recent AP-NORC poll suggests that around 70% of U.S. adults are against Trump's handling of the Greenland situation, a significant contrast to his foreign policy ratings.

Interestingly, nearly half of Republican respondents also voiced their disapproval regarding Trump’s attempts to make Greenland a part of the U.S., despite assertions from the president that it is necessary for national security against growing threats from Russia and China in the Arctic region.

Even in historically robust areas of support, such as the economy and immigration, Trump enjoys far higher approval ratings, with about 80% approval in those categories. This unrest reflects a potential vulnerability in his administration as he pushes aggressive foreign policy tactics. The poll, conducted February 5-8, follows his controversial decision to retract tariffs aimed at pressuring European allies to support U.S. claims over Greenland.

Mixed Responses from Republicans

Typically, Trump’s base remains loyal; however, the Greenland issue stands out as an unexpected point of contention. Disapproval rates among younger Republicans under 45 are especially pronounced, with around 60% against Trump’s actions in this regard. This percentage is contrasted sharply with the 40% disapproval among older Republicans, showcasing a significant generational divide in the party.

Polling data indicated that even within the ranks of Republican support, the president’s approval is significantly lower regarding Greenland than for foreign policy overall. The importance of Greenland to U.S. military strategy was acknowledged by many, including Trump supporters, yet the tactics proposed for achieving this goal raised ethical concerns, drawing stark parallels to criticisms of other nations pursuing territorial expansions.

As the issue continues to evolve, Trump's overall foreign policy approval fluctuates around 40%, nothing notable in a time of increased scrutiny over his diplomatic strategies. This situation exemplifies Trump's ongoing struggle to navigate relations with key allies as highlighted recently at the Munich Security Conference, with trans-Atlantic relationships being increasingly strained.

The AP-NORC poll was conducted with a sample of 1,156 adults, representative of the U.S. population, with a margin of error of ±3.9 for the overall sample and ±6.1 for Republicans specifically.