During an NBA game organised in London on Sunday (Jan 18), the national anthem of the United States was met with boos and heckles. Among the crowd at the stadium, a person shouted a phrase that seemed like a message for the US President Donald Trump - "Leave Greenland alone." This happened when the actress, Vanessa Williams, started singing the anthem on the stage. In a video posted on the social media platform X, Williams was heard performing the US national anthem when a person from the audience exclaims, “Leave Greenland alone." In response, the crowd sent a loud cheer.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">BREAKING: During the U.S. national anthem before an NBA game in London, a person in the crowd yelled, “Leave Greenland alone!” and the entire crowd erupted. Donald Trump has destroyed our standing on the world stage. <a href="https://t.co/8vgS7BdX3m">pic.twitter.com/8vgS7BdX3m</a>&mdash; Democratic Wins Media (@DemocraticWins) <a href="https://twitter.com/DemocraticWins/status/2013006869967569029?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 18, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

‘Never seen any national anthem treated like this’&nbsp;The video was shared by a lawyer, Chris Daw, who wrote on X, "The mood of the British crowd at the O2 last night was very clear. Cries of ‘Leave Greenland Alone!’ were met with loud cheers during the US national anthem. And there were jeers of irony at the line, 'land of the free.' I have never seen any national anthem treated like this - feelings are running high in Britain about Trump's attempt to appoint himself King of the World."&nbsp;A security threat?&nbsp;This whole incident came after Trump delivered a new warning regarding Greenland, stating that “now is the time” to eliminate the “Russian threat." Taking to Truth Social on Sunday, the American president wrote, "NATO has been telling Denmark, for 20 years, that ‘you have to get the Russian threat away from Greenland.’ Unfortunately, Denmark has been unable to take action. Now it is time, and it will be done!!! President Donald J. Trump.”&nbsp;On January 11, while speaking to reporters, Trump said, &nbsp;“In the meantime, you have Russian destroyers and submarines, and China destroyers and submarines all over the place. We’re not going to let that happen.” Trump said this in support of his claim that America needs to acquire Greenland as the region poses a national security threat to the US due to pressure from Russia and China.&nbsp;Meanwhile, Major General Søren Andersen, the commander of Denmark’s Joint Arctic Command in Greenland, has countered this narrative. He said, “No. We don’t see a threat from China or Russia today. But we look into a potential threat, and that is what we are training for.”

In a video posted on the social media platform X, Williams was heard performing the US national anthem when a person from the audience exclaims, leave Greenland alone.

During an NBA game organised in London on Sunday (Jan 18), the national anthem of the United States was met with boos and heckles. Among the crowd at the stadium, a person shouted a phrase that seemed like a message for the US President Donald Trump - "Leave Greenland alone." This happened when the actress, Vanessa Williams, started singing the anthem on the stage. In a video posted on the social media platform X, Williams was heard performing the US national anthem when a person from the audience exclaims, “Leave Greenland alone." In response, the crowd sent a loud cheer.

In a video posted on the social media platform X, Williams was heard performing the US national anthem when a person from the audience exclaims, “Leave Greenland alone."&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

WATCH: US national anthem heckled at NBA game in UK, crowd sends 3-WORD message for Trump

China and Russia do maintain a presence in the Bering Sea, south of Alaska, but analysts note that this is geographically and strategically distinct from Greenland.

China and Russia do maintain a presence in the Bering Sea, south of Alaska, but analysts note that this is geographically and strategically distinct from Greenland.

Fact or fear? Do Russia and China pose a real threat to Greenland, as Trump claims? Inside their Arctic interests

Real security is expensive. Building a hypersonic interceptor base in the Arctic costs an estimated $250 Billion, a sum Denmark (and even the EU) simply cannot afford. 

Real security is expensive. Building a hypersonic interceptor base in the Arctic costs an estimated $250 Billion, a sum Denmark (and even the EU) simply cannot afford.&nbsp;

'Star Wars': Why a US takeover of Greenland saves Europe from China

The White House on Thursday (Jan 15) doubled down on President Donald Trump’s long-running push to "acquire Greenland," making it clear that recent European military deployments to the Arctic island will not affect the POTUS's plans to take control of the Arctic Island from Denmark. Speaking at a press briefing, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump "has made his priority quite clear". She reiterated that the president believes acquiring Greenland is essential for US national security.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-threatens-minnesota-with-insurrection-act-as-protests-rage-over-ice-shooting-of-renee-nicole-good-1768527208576">Trump threatens Minnesota with Insurrection Act as protests rage over ICE shooting of Renee Nicole Good</a><h2>European troops don't faze Trump</h2>Addressing the press briefing, Leavitt said that Trump "thinks it is in our best national security" to acquire Greenland. She dismissed the significance of European troops arriving on the island, and said, "I don't think troops in Europe impact the president's decision-making process, nor does it impact his goal of the acquisition of Greenland at all."Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/elon-musk-asks-users-if-they-can-break-grok-ai-moderation-x-responds-by-putting-him-in-bikinis-and-more-1768467434756">Musk asks users if they can ‘break’ Grok AI's moderation — X responds by putting him in bikinis and more</a>Her remarks come as several European NATO members began deploying military personnel into Greenland, a step that has already triggered a sharp response from Russia. The deployments followed a high-level meeting in Washington involving US, Danish and Greenlandic officials, which failed to resolve what Denmark described as a "fundamental disagreement" over Greenland’s future.<h2>Which nations have sent their military to Greenland</h2>France, Germany, Sweden and Norway have announced the deployment of military personnel to Greenland’s capital, Nuuk, as part of a reconnaissance mission. Germany’s defence ministry said the mission was aimed at assessing Arctic security needs in response to what it described as growing "Russian and Chinese threats". French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed that French personnel were already en route. In a statement, Greenland’s deputy prime minister, Mute Egede, noted that NATO forces would have a larger presence on the island in the coming days, including more military flights and naval activity. He stressed that the troops would be "training".<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/eu-troops-land-in-greenland-denmark-ramps-up-arctic-defenses-1768499485550/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/eu-troops-land-in-greenland-denmark-ramps-up-arctic-defenses-1768499485550/embed</a><h2>Russia slams NATO troop deployment</h2>Russia reacted strongly. Its embassy in Belgium said the expanding NATO presence in Greenland was "of serious concern". It accused the alliance of using "false pretext" of threats from Moscow and Beijing to justify building up forces.

Trump isn’t backing off Greenland. The White House says European troops on the Arctic island won’t change the POTUS's plan to “acquire” it for US security.

The White House on Thursday (Jan 15) doubled down on President Donald Trump’s long-running push to "acquire Greenland," making it clear that recent European military deployments to the Arctic island will not affect the POTUS's plans to take control of the Arctic Island from Denmark. Speaking at a press briefing, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump "has made his priority quite clear". She reiterated that the president believes acquiring Greenland is essential for US national security. Also read | Trump threatens Minnesota with Insurrection Act as protests rage over ICE shooting of Renee Nicole Good European troops don't faze Trump Addressing the press briefing, Leavitt said that Trump "thinks it is in our best national security" to acquire Greenland. She dismissed the significance of European troops arriving on the island, and said, "I don't think troops in Europe impact the president's decision-making process, nor does it impact his goal of the acquisition of Greenland at all." Also read | Musk asks users if they can ‘break’ Grok AI's moderation — X responds by putting him in bikinis and more Her remarks come as several European NATO members began deploying military personnel into Greenland, a step that has already triggered a sharp response from Russia. The deployments followed a high-level meeting in Washington involving US, Danish and Greenlandic officials, which failed to resolve what Denmark described as a "fundamental disagreement" over Greenland’s future. Which nations have sent their military to Greenland France, Germany, Sweden and Norway have announced the deployment of military personnel to Greenland’s capital, Nuuk, as part of a reconnaissance mission. Germany’s defence ministry said the mission was aimed at assessing Arctic security needs in response to what it described as growing "Russian and Chinese threats". French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed that French personnel were already en route. In a statement, Greenland’s deputy prime minister, Mute Egede, noted that NATO forces would have a larger presence on the island in the coming days, including more military flights and naval activity. He stressed that the troops would be "training". https://www.wionews.com/videos/eu-troops-land-in-greenland-denmark-ramps-up-arctic-defenses-1768499485550/embed Russia slams NATO troop deployment Russia reacted strongly. Its embassy in Belgium said the expanding NATO presence in Greenland was "of serious concern". It accused the alliance of using "false pretext" of threats from Moscow and Beijing to justify building up forces.

Trump isn’t backing off Greenland. The White House says European troops on the Arctic island won’t change the POTUS's plan to “acquire” it for US security.

Trump hellbent on 'acquiring' Greenland, White House says NATO troops don't faze him 'at all'

The US successfully captured Venezuelan President Maduro in January 2026 through Operation Absolute Resolve. Whether similar methods could work in Greenland faces major obstacles: NATO protection, international law, and logistical challenges not present in Venezuela.

The US successfully captured Venezuelan President Maduro in January 2026 through Operation Absolute Resolve. Whether similar methods could work in Greenland faces major obstacles: NATO protection, international law, and logistical challenges not present in Venezuela.

Could the US "Venezuela-style" operation happen in Greenland?

Denmark confronts military pressure from the US over Greenland. With 20,000 troops against America's 1.3 million, Denmark is investing more money in Arctic defence and expanding conscription to strengthen security.

Denmark confronts military pressure from the US over Greenland. With 20,000 troops against America's 1.3 million, Denmark is investing more money in Arctic defence and expanding conscription to strengthen security.

'20,000 vs. 1.3 Million': Can Denmark hold the line against a US military surge?

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WATCH: US national anthem heckled at NBA game in UK, crowd sends 3-WORD message for Trump

Fact or fear? Do Russia and China pose threat to Greenland, as Trump claims?

'Star Wars': Why a US takeover of Greenland saves Europe from China

Trump hellbent on 'acquiring' Greenland, WH says NATO troops don't faze him

Could the US "Venezuela-style" operation happen in Greenland?

'20,000 vs. 1.3 Million': Can Denmark hold the line against a US military surge?