Why Musk, Bezos and Gates all want a piece of Greenland

The US delegation’s planned visit to Greenland — led by Vice President JD Vance and second lady Usha Vance — has sparked interest among top political officials and tech billionaires, despite Prime Minister Mute Egede’s criticism of the trip as “highly aggressive.”

While the recent buzz surrounding the vast, icy island has left me puzzled, sources in Silicon Valley (who claim credit for the idea of purchasing Greenland) see it as closely linked to America’s aspirations in space and information technology, particularly in the realm of AI. They also view it as a crucial “play for the future,” as one source described it.

Prominent figures in the tech industry have shown varying levels of support. Elon Musk is in favor of acquiring Greenland, Peter Thiel supports the idea of establishing an autonomous colony on the island, and Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates advocate for mining projects due to the abundance of natural resources, such as rare earth minerals essential for high-tech manufacturing.

“Take what’s needed for the US to maintain dominance in information technology: data storage and deployment of computing power,” stated Tom Dans, former commissioner of the US Arctic Research Commission. “Greenland offers vast potential in energy, strategic metals and minerals, and its proximity to key US population centers, all within a highly controllable environment.”

It’s approximately 1,800 miles from New York City to the capital of Nuuk, where the freezing temperatures provide a suitable climate for energy-intensive data centers. The island’s isolation reduces the physical security risks faced by data facilities on the US mainland.

“Greenland’s strategic importance to the United States extends beyond its frozen landscape into space. President Trump understands this. Elon grasps it better than anyone,” Dans added. “Telemetry, tracking, missile intercepts, early warning systems, and Northern latitude launch sites are all part of America’s Arctic history, present, and future. Greenland is pivotal.”

The Arctic location could also serve as a strategic asset for military defense and surveillance, which is why Chinese companies are also interested in gaining a foothold.

Although the idea of annexing Greenland gained traction in Silicon Valley nearly a decade ago, with startups like Thiel-backed Praxis aiming to build a futuristic, autonomous city on the island, the vision has since evolved.

Sources note that the Danish territory’s proximity to the Arctic Circle provides an ideal trajectory for polar orbits, offering a clear path for space launches that avoids densely populated areas, unlike Florida or Texas, where safety and airspace restrictions complicate operations.

Its vast, uninhabited expanses and stable climate also reduce weather-related delays and land-use conflicts, making it a potentially superior site for a US spaceport.

The role of technology in sustaining the dream of Greenland is reflected in President Trump’s choice for ambassador to Denmark: Ken Howery, a member of the “PayPal Mafia” who co-founded Founders Fund with Peter Thiel and is a friend of Elon Musk. Although still awaiting confirmation, Howery previously served as ambassador to Sweden during Trump’s first term, gaining valuable insights into the security and geopolitical significance of the Arctic Circle.

Of course, Greenland’s PM Muté Egede has expressed, “We don’t want to be Americans,” and there is no indication that Denmark would agree to any form of deal.

There are also significant challenges with the land itself. Cold War-era chemical waste, including diesel fuel and radioactive materials buried by the US military beneath melting ice, could complicate development.

Nevertheless, American presence in Greenland will expand further this summer with United Airlines launching direct flights between New York and Nuuk.

Fittingly, the inaugural flight is scheduled for June 14 — Flag Day and Donald Trump’s birthday.

Another source from Silicon Valley mentioned that an American acquisition could be “the best thing that could happen to Greenland and its residents. You could either gain access to all the resources of the United States or remain a small, isolated island.”

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