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By Marni Rose McFall
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Vicky Rebella Riis, Miss Greenland, has written an impassioned speech against President Donald Trump on her Instagram, as tensions over her homeland continue to heighten.
“Greenland deserves to be spoken of with humility and respect—not as a strategic asset, but as a living place with its own voice, culture, and right to self-determination,” Riis wrote.
Newsweek has contacted the Miss Greenland organization via email for comment.
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Why It Matters
In recent weeks, Trump has escalated his ambitions for Greenland. This has led to an outcry from the people of Greenland and Denmark—Greenland is a semi-autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark—and from NATO allies. In the U.S., the move has been met with bipartisan opposition.
The president has insisted that the U.S. needs to acquire Greenland for security purposes. He has warned NATO that anything short of U.S. control of the island would be "unacceptable." The leaders of all 27 European Union nations gather on Sunday for an emergency meeting to discuss possible responses to tariff threats made by Trump.
The break among ideologically aligned leaders signals a critical test for U.S. alliances, NATO solidarity, and geopolitics.
What To Know
Riis addressed the situation in an Instagram post on January 5. The rhetoric from the Trump administration has intensified in the weeks since.
“I found myself in deep shock after hearing what Trump said in an interview,” Riis wrote. “I felt fear, worry, and confusion all at once. How can a land so vast and beautiful, rich in spirit, history, and gentle people, be spoken of as something that can be “bought”? How can a country be reduced to an object, as if it were a possession rather than a home?”
Her statement continued: “The words spoken reveal something deeper: a worldview shaped by power, economics, and control, rather than respect and relationship. It is troubling, especially when the United States itself faces profound challenges—deep social inequality, ongoing struggles with hunger and homelessness, widespread political division, and a lack of trust between leaders and people.”
“Millions of Americans live without access to stable healthcare, education, or basic security, while public discourse is often driven by fear rather than care,” she added.
The beauty pageant space has become one that has increasingly intersected with politics and current affairs in recent years. Last year’s instalment of the Miss Universe pageant, one of the most-watched and influential beauty competitions, had multiple high-profile moments, from Miss Grand International President Nawat Itsaragrisil making controversial comments regarding Miss Mexico, which led to multiple contestants walking out, to the first-ever Miss Palestine contestant competing, and ensuing tensions with Miss Israel.
Miss Greenland competed in Miss Universe from 1987 through to 1990. From 1991 to 1992, Miss Greenland participated in the Miss World pageant.
Miss Greenland then debuted for the Miss Grand International pageant in 2024. Riis was crowned Miss Greenland in 2025, in what marked the first official crowning since the 1990s.
What People Are Saying
Vicky Rebella Riis, Miss Greenland, in a post on Instagram: “This is not only about Greenland or the United States. It is about how we choose to see one another—either as resources to be claimed, or as human beings and nations worthy of dignity.”
What Happens Next?
Trump has imposed tariffs on allies opposing his plans for Greenland. The legality of this is under review by the Supreme Court, and a decision is expected soon.
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