Stellan Skarsgård Slams Trump’s Greenland Ambitions as ‘Ludicrous’

Stellan Skarsgård, the Swedish actor known for his roles in both European cinema and Hollywood blockbusters, did not mince words when asked about Donald Trump’s persistent interest in Greenland. Speaking at the European Film Awards in Berlin on 17 January, Skarsgård was quick to dismiss the former US president’s territorial ambitions as nothing short of preposterous.

Trump, never one to shy away from controversy, had just announced a sweeping 25% tariff threat against a swathe of European nations—Denmark, Norway, France, Germany, Britain, Sweden, the Netherlands, and Finland—should his administration fail to secure a deal for the icy expanse of Greenland. The move, widely interpreted as a form of economic blackmail, prompted the European Union to convene an emergency session to address the escalating row.

While Trump has repeatedly justified his fixation on Greenland by citing strategic military interests, critics have long suspected ulterior motives, namely the region’s untapped mineral wealth. Skarsgård, whose home country shares close ties with Denmark, was forthright in his assessment.

“It’s absurd, isn’t it? It’s a little man who got megalomania, and he’s trying to take the world. He took Venezuela, suddenly, and that’s for [energy company] Chevron. He’ll take Greenland for minerals. He’s a criminal.”

European Voices Push Back

Joachim Trier, director of Skarsgård’s latest film and a Danish-Norwegian national, echoed the actor’s concerns. He warned that disregarding established international norms could set off a chain reaction with far-reaching consequences.

“I agree with Stellan that it’s an absurd notion, and international law must be respected, because grinding that down will have such tremendous domino effects on how other superpowers will treat other countries, so the dominant effect of that is extremely worrying, if it is to happen,”

Trier remarked, highlighting the anxiety rippling through diplomatic circles.

The timing of Trump’s pronouncements could hardly have been more provocative. Only days earlier, the Golden Globe Awards had seen Mark Ruffalo and Judd Apatow publicly denounce the former president’s foreign policy. Apatow, presenting the Best Director award, declared that the United States had become “a dictatorship now.” Meanwhile, Ruffalo, speaking to reporters, pointedly referenced the ongoing conflict in Venezuela, which he described as an “illegal invasion.”

Celebrity Outrage and Political Fallout

The backlash has not been limited to the film industry. On the red carpet, one actor wore a “Be Good” pin in memory of Renee Good, who was killed by an ICE agent in Minneapolis less than a fortnight prior. The gesture underscored the broader sense of unease surrounding Trump’s approach to both domestic and international affairs.

Ruffalo did not hold back in his assessment of the former president’s character.

“[He] is telling the world that international law doesn’t matter to him. The only thing that matters to him is his own morality. The guy is a convicted felon or a convicted rapist. He’s a paedophile. He’s the worst human being. If we’re relying on this guy’s morality for the most powerful country in the world, then we’re all in a lot of trouble.”

Other high-profile figures, including George Clooney, talk show host Jimmy Kimmel, South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, and Jonathan Pryce, have all voiced their disapproval of Trump’s conduct over the past year. The chorus of criticism reflects a growing unease about the direction of American leadership and its impact on the global stage.