Trump affects well-being: The threats from the US are really affecting the population, says professor

This is confirmed by a study among 308 citizens, who in January and February answered an online questionnaire sent out on social media by researchers from the Center for Public Health in Greenland, which is part of the National Institute of Public Health at the University of Southern Denmark (SDU).

The situation affects people

- The study confirms what we probably had a feeling: That the threats from the USA really affect the population, says Professor Peter Bjerregaard to Sermitsiaq and elaborates: – It is the whole situation that affects people. The way the cluster bombs are fired and the disrespect with which the Americans speak. Now there has been some calm in Greenland, while there has been a war in Iran, but no one believes that the case about Greenland is buried.

According to Peter Bjerregaard, it is important that the population's dissatisfaction is taken seriously, and that the Greenland Government and the authorities are aware that any statement from the president that undermines Greenland's sovereignty is perceived by the population and has a negative impact on well-being.

Peter Bjerregaard refers to the fact that the president recently wrote on his social media Truth Social that Greenland was a "large, poorly governed piece of ice."

Decline in well-being and quality of life

In the survey, one in three states that they have symptoms of psychological distress. For comparison, this was seven percent in a population survey from 2025.

When it comes to the perceived quality of life, it has also decreased. While 84 percent in 2025 stated that their quality of life was high, this year it is 64 percent.

Research coordinator Ingelise Olesen from the Center for Public Health in Greenland and Ilisimatusarfik, states in a press release that the survey confirms the impression many have had of well-being in the country.

– It is well known in Greenland that the US's statements about taking over control of the country create uncertainty and insecurity. It is a tense situation that occupies a lot of everyday life and in the media. Many have already expressed their concerns, so the results confirm the picture we have seen and the impression we have had, she says.

Phases of shock, anxiety and anger

Member of the Folketing for Inuit Ataqatigiit, Naaja H. Nathanielsen has also seen the study and tells Sermitsiaq that it confirms the mood in Greenland, perhaps especially in Nuuk at the beginning of the year:

– The American aggression towards the Greenlandic people left very clear traces. I think everyone went through different phases of shock, anxiety and also anger. It is a completely unreasonable pressure to put on a country and shows, in essence, how much words can hurt.

We must repeat our messages

According to Naaja H. Nathanielsen, it is also tiring to have to repeat to an ally all the time that Greenland is a well-functioning democratic country with a legal society.

– It is tiring to have to repeat to an ally that Greenland is a well-functioning democracy and thus a legal society – inhabited by a people with their own culture and a sense of belonging to the country. But this is the reality we live in and must act in. So we must repeat our message to the world once again. But it must gradually become clear to everyone that the American foreign policy line is based on an expansionist nationalism, which I had hoped belonged to the past. It is not just Greenland that is affected by this. It has also affected Panama, Venezuela, Canada, Cuba and Ukraine, she says.

Most responses from Nuuk

The questionnaire could be completed by all people in Greenland aged 15 and over. A total of 308 people participated. Most responses came from Nuuk. However, all municipalities and several smaller settlements are represented.

Although the survey is not representative, since it is random who has seen the link and answered the survey, it gives a picture of how a part of the population thinks and feels, the researchers say.