In August of last year, Danmarks Radio broke a story that sent shockwaves through diplomatic circles. According to sources cited by DR, three American men with ties to President Trump were allegedly orchestrating a clandestine influence campaign, aimed at sowing discord in the Commonwealth and rallying support for a movement advocating Greenland’s secession.
Among their efforts, one of the men reportedly compiled a list identifying Greenlanders who backed Trump’s controversial proposal to purchase the island, as well as those who opposed it.
To protect their sources, DR withheld the names of these individuals, who had purportedly attempted to infiltrate Greenland’s political landscape. The gravity of the revelations prompted Denmark’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to summon the highest-ranking U.S. diplomat for urgent discussions. There, Lars Løkke Rasmussen, Chief of the Danish government, emphasized that any foreign interference in the Kingdom’s affairs was unequivocally unacceptable.
### Unfolding Trump’s Agenda
Fast forward to last week, The New York Times shed light on the identities of the three figures behind these questionable operations in Greenland: Thomas Dans, Drew Horn, and Chris Cox.
Both Dans and Horn have made several trips to Greenland since Trump’s re-election in 2024, forging connections with local citizens and influential leaders. Cox, the founder of the biker group Bikers for Trump, also made headlines with a visit to Nuuk last March.
What’s particularly striking is the trio’s deep-seated connections to the Trump administration and their involvement in various Greenland-related initiatives, both in the public and private sectors. According to the Times, their activities have been fairly overt; they are no strangers to voicing their ambitions for promoting America’s interests in Greenland.
Dans and Horn are well-known figures, frequently mentioned in Greenlandic, Danish, and international media. Their intertwined approach to foreign policy and business mirrors the tactics the Trump administration has become known for.
The Times spoke with both Dans and Horn, who denied any involvement in dubious actions, although they acknowledged that the DR report likely referred to them. Sources indicate that Danish intelligence services are closely monitoring their activities.
### The Men Behind the Moves
Drew Horn, a businessman with previous experience in Trump’s administration, now leads GreenMet, a company focused on critical minerals and data centers, including a controversial venture in Kangerlussuaq.
Thomas Dans, a former U.S. Treasury official, has been active in Arctic policy, having recently been appointed to head the Arctic Research Commission. His prior efforts included fostering U.S.-Greenland relations, often collaborating with local stakeholders.
Dans was instrumental in arranging Donald Trump Jr.’s visit to Nuuk in January 2025 and played a role in various official visits, including one by Vice President JD Vance, which was changed from participating in a dog sled race to a quick visit to the Pituffik Space Base.
Chris Cox, often spotted in Nuuk engaging with locals, has also attracted scrutiny from Danish intelligence. His televised appearances during his visit underscored his aggressive outreach attempts. In June, he was appointed to an advisory committee within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
The White House has refrained from commenting on the activities of these three men, instead issuing a statement emphasizing ongoing efforts to negotiate a beneficial agreement with Greenland and NATO—one that, they claim, will ultimately serve American interests well.