How a billionaire with interests in Greenland encouraged Trump to acquire the territory
The Guardian • 1/15/2026 • Last cited 1/15/2026
Summary
During his first term, President Donald Trump was influenced by his friend Ronald Lauder, a billionaire with business interests in Greenland, to consider the acquisition of the territory, as recounted by former national security adviser John Bolton in an interview with The Guardian. Lauder's proposal for Arctic expansion led to discussions within the Trump administration about the potential purchase of Greenland.
Lindy Score Breakdown
0
Age (0-35)
0 days
12
Velocity (0-40)
3 sources (low traction)
8
Tier (0-10)
The Guardian
5
Breadth (0-15)
3 unique
Total Score25/100
Score BreakdownRisk 40
Source Reputation: Moderate trust (8/20 pts)
Consensus: Emerging consensus: 3 sources
Age: Breaking news - too recent to assess longevity
Stories gain Lindy status through source reputation, network consensus, and time survival.
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