Trump's Greenland Push Divides Republicans, Poll Finds

New AP-NORC survey shows Trump's efforts to acquire Greenland have turned off many in his own party.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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A new AP-NORC poll finds that about 7 in 10 U.S. adults disapprove of how President Donald Trump is handling the issue of Greenland, a semiautonomous territory of NATO ally Denmark. Even Republicans are divided, with about half disapproving of his attempt to turn the icebound landmass into American territory.

Why it matters

Trump's push to acquire Greenland has created a political weak spot for the administration, as it has turned off many in his own party - a group that is normally unwavering in its support for the president. This suggests Trump's Greenland approach has strained relationships with key allies and raises questions about his foreign policy decision-making.

The details

The poll was conducted Feb. 5-8, after Trump had made the decision to scrap tariffs designed to pressure European countries into supporting U.S. control of Greenland, but after his weeks-long push for American intervention over the island. Trump has argued that the U.S. needs Greenland to counter threats from Russia and China in the Arctic region, despite America already having a military presence there.

  • The poll was conducted from February 5-8, 2026.
  • Trump dropped his threats to seize Greenland by force in late January 2026.

The players

Donald Trump

The President of the United States who pushed for the U.S. to acquire control of Greenland.

Mark Rutte

The NATO Secretary-General who helped reach a framework for a deal over access to Greenland with the Trump administration.

Ayman Amir

A 46-year-old Trump supporter from Houston, Texas who agrees Greenland is strategically important but does not think the U.S. should claim it by force.

Aaron Gunnoe

A 29-year-old independent voter and engineer from Marion, Ohio who was baffled by Trump's aggressive posture on the NATO ally of Denmark regarding Greenland.

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What they’re saying

“We can't take it by force. We don't have a right to do that. You can't blame Russia for what they do in Ukraine and then do the same thing. You can't do this.”

— Ayman Amir, Trump supporter

“It's the stupidest thing I've ever heard. It's owned by somebody else. That should be the end of it.”

— Aaron Gunnoe, Independent voter

What’s next

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The takeaway

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