### Trump’s Imperial Ambitions Explode: “We MUST Have Greenland” – President Doubles Down on Territorial Claims and Brushes Off Epstein Files in Fiery Mar-a-Lago Presser

**By Independent Correspondent**
**Palm Beach, Florida – December 23, 2025**

In a surprise press conference at his opulent Mar-a-Lago resort on December 22, 2025, President Donald Trump unleashed a barrage of bold territorial assertions, declaring that the United States “has to have” Greenland for national security reasons and appointing a special envoy to push for its integration into America. Flanked by top officials including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Navy Secretary John Phelan, Trump also unveiled plans for a massive naval buildup while casually dismissing questions about the freshly released Jeffrey Epstein files that mention him and his properties.

The event, initially billed as an announcement for a new “Golden Fleet” of warships, quickly veered into Trump’s long-standing obsession with expanding U.S. territory. “We need Greenland for national security, not for minerals,” Trump insisted to reporters gathered in the resort’s grand library. He pointed to sightings of Russian and Chinese vessels along Greenland’s coast as justification, claiming Denmark provides inadequate protection despite centuries of ties to the autonomous Arctic territory.

Trump revealed he had appointed Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry as special envoy to Greenland, praising him for understanding the island’s “essential” role in U.S. defense. Landry, in a social media video, described his mission as discussing “the opportunity of being a part of the United States” with Greenlanders. The move drew immediate backlash from Danish and Greenlandic leaders, who summoned the U.S. ambassador and reaffirmed that Greenland’s future is decided by its people, not Washington.

“Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders, and the U.S. shall not take over Greenland,” read a joint statement from Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen. European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and EU officials, expressed solidarity with Denmark, condemning any suggestion of annexation as a violation of international law.

Trump’s rhetoric echoed his 2019 attempts to “buy” Greenland, which were rebuffed at the time. But now, with economic pressure already applied—such as suspending Danish wind projects in the U.S.—critics accuse him of escalating to outright coercion. Analysts note the strategic value of Greenland’s location for monitoring Arctic activities amid rising great-power competition with Russia and China.

The president didn’t stop at Greenland. While primarily focused on the Arctic island during the presser, Trump has repeatedly signaled broader ambitions in recent weeks, including retaking control of the Panama Canal, citing unfair fees and alleged Chinese influence. Though not the centerpiece on December 22, these comments align with his pattern of framing such acquisitions as vital to “protecting the free world.”

Shifting gears, Trump announced a dramatic expansion of the U.S. Navy, revealing plans for up to 25 new “Trump-class” battleships as part of a “Golden Fleet.” Described as the largest and most powerful warships ever built, equipped with hypersonic weapons and lasers, the initiative aims to counter China’s naval growth. Renderings of vessels like the USS Defiant were displayed, evoking a return to battleship-era dominance despite modern naval doctrine favoring aircraft carriers and submarines.

The announcement came amid Trump’s holiday stay at Mar-a-Lago, where he’s blending official duties with leisure. The press conference highlighted his administration’s aggressive posture on national security, with cabinet members nodding approvingly as Trump railed against perceived weaknesses inherited from prior administrations.

Inevitably, questions turned to the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, fresh off a major Justice Department release of files just days earlier. The documents include multiple references to Trump, flight logs from the 1990s showing him on Epstein’s plane (with family members on some trips), subpoenas to Mar-a-Lago for employment records, and photos from Epstein’s properties.

Trump brushed it off dismissively: “Everyone was friendly with this guy back then,” he said, reiterating that he banned Epstein from Mar-a-Lago after a falling out and claiming no wrongdoing. He expressed sympathy for others caught in photos, arguing the releases unfairly damage reputations of people who “innocently met” the financier. “A lot of people are very angry that pictures are being released… you ruined a reputation of somebody.”

Survivors and critics, however, demanded more transparency, pointing to heavy redactions and calls for investigating potential co-conspirators. Trump downplayed the files as containing “untrue and sensationalist claims,” some allegedly timed for political impact before past elections.

The press conference underscored Trump’s unfiltered style—rambling, defiant, and unapologetic. Supporters hail it as strong leadership reclaiming American greatness; detractors warn of reckless imperialism risking alliances with NATO partners like Denmark and straining global norms.

As Trump spends Christmas at Mar-a-Lago, declaring December 24 and 26 federal holidays, the world watches warily. His Greenland push has already sparked diplomatic protests, and with a special envoy now “leading the charge,” the Arctic could become the next flashpoint in America’s assertive foreign policy.

International reaction poured in swiftly. Norway and Sweden vowed support for Denmark’s sovereignty, while China and Russia remained silent but likely attentive to U.S. vulnerabilities exposed by allied rifts.

Domestically, the naval announcement thrilled defense hawks but raised questions about costs in an era of budget debates. Trump’s vision of a gilded armada reflects his personal branding, even as experts debate its practicality.

In the Epstein matter, while no new allegations of illegality against Trump emerged, the mentions revive old associations, testing his base’s loyalty amid ongoing file releases.

This Mar-a-Lago spectacle—part policy rollout, part grievance airing—captures Trump’s presidency in microcosm: audacious, controversial, and always headline-grabbing. Whether his territorial dreams materialize or fizzle like past proposals remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Donald Trump is not holding back.