A fan shouted "leave Greenland alone!" at an NBA game amid global backlash over Trump’s push to acquire the territory.

During the NBA game between the Memphis Grizzlies and Orlando Magic in London on January 18, 2026, a fan shouted “leave Greenland alone!” during Vanessa Williams’ performance of the U.S. national anthem. The comment, reflecting growing international concern over former President Donald Trump’s push to acquire Greenland, drew mixed reactions from the crowd. Trump has advocated for U.S. control of the Danish territory for national security reasons, proposing purchase or force, and recently imposed a 10% tariff on Denmark and other European nations to pressure a deal. The remarks sparked backlash from allies and protests in Greenland, where most residents oppose the move. Polls show limited public support in both the U.S. and Greenland. The incident underscored global unease over U.S. foreign policy ambitions in the Arctic.