A man attending an NBA game at London’s O2 Arena yelled ‘leave Greenland alone!’ as actress Vanessa Williams sang the American national anthem before the Memphis Grizzlies and Orlando Magic tipped off Sunday.
The remark drew a round of applause from the crowd as President Donald Trump continues his saber rattling over the island.
Unfazed, Williams finished the song, drawing applause from basketball fans at the O2.
Trump has insisted the U.S. should acquire Greenland, a semiautonomous territory of NATO-ally Denmark, stressing that anything less than full control is ‘unacceptable’. Meanwhile, Republican legislators have warned POTUS an invasion of the country could result in his removal from office.
The comments have gained widespread condemnation from European leaders hopeful to avoid a NATO split.
A joint statement from Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the UK said they stood ‘firmly behind’ the ‘principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity’.
Vanessa Williams sings the US national anthem ahead of the NBA London Game 2026 at the O2 arena in London, where one heckler called on America to ‘leave Greenland alone’
Unfazed, Williams finished the song, drawing applause from basketball fans at the O2
Danish soldiers disembark at the port in Nuuk, Greenland. The Danish Defense will continue the increased presence with exercise activities together with a number of NATO allies
The President has shocked the military alliance by warning that opponents of an American takeover of the Danish territory will be hit with punitive tariffs from February 1.
In a bombshell post on his social media site, Trump said levies will start at 10 per cent – and potentially rise to 25 per cent if they have not capitulated by June.
But in a joint response this afternoon, the European powers said: ‘As members of Nato, we are committed to strengthening Arctic security as a shared transatlantic interest. The pre-coordinated Danish exercise Arctic Endurance conducted with Allies, responds to this necessity. It poses no threat to anyone.
‘We stand in full solidarity with the Kingdom of Denmark and the people of Greenland. Building on the process begun last week, we stand ready to engage in a dialogue based on the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity that we stand firmly behind.
‘Tariff threats undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral. We will continue to stand united and coordinated in our response. We are committed to upholding our sovereignty.’
