Heads turn as MAGA senator cites ‘bonkers’ reason for Trump's expansionist aspirations

Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-MO) was dragged Friday over recent remarks he made in defense of President Donald Trump and his goal of acquiring Greenland, among which included a “bonkers” prediction regarding who may “run” Greenland’s government in 50 years.

“Somebody asked me why I was so supportive of the president’s desire to acquire Greenland. Why is that important?” Schmitt said during a recent appearance on “The Charlie Kirk Show.”

“Well, first of all, it’s in our core national interests: it’s in the Arctic Circle. Secondly, critical minerals are there, you can mine them and refine them on that… you know, island. And thirdly, I don’t know what Denmark’s government looks like in 50 years. It could be run by a bunch of radical mullahs or something, I don’t know.”

A mullah is an honorific title for an Islamic clergyman or religious leader, with Schmitt’s reference echoing right-wing fears of mass migration from Muslim-majority countries.

Onlookers were left baffled that a hypothetical about Denmark's government in 50 years was being offered as a reason for the Trump administration to seize Greenland today, including writer Kelly Scaletta, who called Schmitt “completely f------ bonkers.”

Joe Walsh, a former GOP congressman-turned Democrat, offered a bleak assessment of his former party.

“My former political party is unfixable,” Walsh wrote in response to a clip of Schmitt’s remarks. “It is what it is now, and it ain’t changing.”

And Orla Joelsen, a political activist from Greenland, reaffirmed that Greenlanders were not interested in being acquired by the United States.

“Focus on your own voters and your own country’s domestic issues. You’re completely detached from reality,” Joelsen wrote in a social media post on X.

“Arguing that the United States should annex Greenland based on a fantasy scenario in which Denmark is supposedly ruled by “radical mullahs” in 50 years is paranoia disguised as strategy. Greenland has chosen to remain part of the Kingdom of Denmark. Greenland’s future will be decided by the people of Greenland – not by American politicians.”