US President Donald Trump has stirred fresh controversy after sharing an image on his Truth Social account depicting Canada and Greenland coloured in the red, white and blue of the American flag, triggering concern among social media users and unease among US allies.
The image, posted without any caption, showed a map of North America rendered in US national colours. While Trump has repeatedly expressed interest in acquiring Greenland, the inclusion of Canada—without any accompanying explanation or policy announcement—has raised eyebrows and fuelled speculation about Washington’s territorial ambitions.
The post came amid escalating tensions between Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron over issues ranging from Greenland and Gaza to trade tariffs. Trump has recently renewed his push to bring Greenland under US control, arguing that the Arctic island is critical to American and global security and claiming Denmark is incapable of protecting it.
The symbolism of the image, which visually appears to fold Canada and Greenland into US territory, drew sharp reactions online. Observers noted that while Trump has openly discussed Greenland in the past, Canada’s appearance in the image amplified fears of an increasingly confrontational and expansionist posture from Washington.
Adding to the diplomatic row, Trump also shared what he described as a private text message from Macron on Truth Social. The message, attributed to the French president, questioned Trump’s focus on Greenland while acknowledging alignment on other geopolitical issues.
“My friend, we are totally in line on Syria. We can do great things in Iran. I do not understand what you are doing on Greenland,” the message read.
Although Macron’s office has not issued a formal statement, a source close to the French president confirmed to AFP that the message shared by Trump was authentic.
The public airing of the private exchange comes ahead of Trump’s plans to raise the Greenland issue at the Davos Economic Forum. France and other European nations have firmly rejected any suggestion of a US takeover of Greenland. Paris has also participated in NATO-led military exercises in the Arctic region, signalling preparedness amid growing geopolitical competition involving Russia and China.
Internet reacts
Social media users responded strongly to Trump’s post, with many interpreting the image as more than symbolic provocation. On platforms such as X and Reddit, users warned that the depiction could be read as signalling territorial intent, particularly in light of Trump’s past remarks that Greenland is “imperative” for US security and that there can be “no going back.”
Others cautioned that even without formal military announcements, such imagery risks normalising the idea of territorial expansion among Trump’s supporters and heightening international anxieties.