An independent-minded Senate Republican poured cold water on a far-fetched idea that was floated early in the second Trump administration. 

Alaskan Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski shared with the Daily Mail her belief that the Trump administration might reconsider purchasing Greenland after realizing how costly it would be.

Murkowski’s comments came during a conversation with the Daily Mail at a Washington event on Thursday, where she was asked about the feasibility of a deal to buy the autonomous territory, which is part of the Kingdom of Denmark.

She was delivering a keynote address at an event on ‘Restoring Arctic Exceptionalism’ organized by The Arctic Institute.

An evaluation by the American Action Forum (AAF), a policy think tank with center-right views, assessed that the value of Greenland, along with its vital mineral and energy resources, would total about $4.4 trillion.

When removing oil and natural gas from the calculation, Greenland’s value would drop to $2.7 trillion, AAF found. 

Trump’s Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told members of Congress Thursday that the Pentagon has drafts of plans to invade Greenland, as well as Panama if the Administration chose to make such an audacious move.

Democrat Adam Smith of Washington state asked Hegseth at a Thursday hearing of House Armed Services Committee if the Department of Defense would be willing to ‘take Greenland and Panama by force.’

Lisa Murkowski (R- AK) questions Douglas Burgum, Secretary Department of the Interior at the Dirksen Senate Office Building on May 21, 2025 in Washington, DC

The US military’s Pituffik Space Base in Greenland where US Vice President JD Vance visited on March 28, 2025

A woman holds a Greenland flag as people protest against the American pressure taking place against Greenland and Denmark, in front of the American Embassy in Copenhagen on March 29, 2025. Denmark said on March 29, 2025 it did not like the “tone” of US Vice-president JD Vance after he accused Copenhagen of under-investing in Greenland during a visit to the Danish territory.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth (C), accompanied by acting Pentagon Comptroller Bryn MacDonnell (L), and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Air Force Gen. Dan Caine (R), speaks during a House Armed Services Committee hearing on June 12, 2025 in Washington, DC

Buying Greenland has been an obsession of the Trump administration ever since the president took office for his second term .

 Hegseth responded by articulating American concerns regarding Chinese influence in Panama and Greenland.

‘Panama is very key terrain that we’ve focused on and we’ve been willing to focus on, as is Greenland,’ Hegseth noted.

When Smith pressed Hegseth on the question of force, Hegseth replied it was prudent for the Department of Defense to prepare options.

‘Our job at the Defense Department is to have plans for any particular contingency,’ Hegseth replied.

‘So let’s just be clear,’ Smith continued: ‘You have plans to take Panama and Greenland by force?’

‘I think the American people would want the Pentagon to have plans for any particular contingency,’ Hegseth said.

When GOP Rep. Mike Turner attempted to throw Hegseth a lifeline on Greenland plans, Hegseth only adjusted his words slightly. 

“I sure as hell hope that it is not your testimony,” Turner said, glaring at Hegseth.

The Pentagon head replied that the plan was to ensure Greenland was protected from any threats.  

Buying Greenland has been an obsession of the Trump administration ever since the president took office for his second term. Trump first floated the idea of buying Greenland as far back as 2019, tweeting an artificially generated image of a golden Trump tower planted in a local Greenland village.

Trump first floated the idea of buying Greenland as far back as 2019, tweeting an artificially generated image of a golden Trump tower planted in a local Greenland village

US Vice President JD Vance (C) and Second Lady Usha Vance (R) stand with Col. Susan Meyers (L), commander of the US military’s Pituffik Space Base, as they tour the base in Greenland on March 28, 2025

Col. Susannah Meyers, commander of the US military’s Pituffik Space Base, was removed from command on April 10, 2025, according to a statement released by the Space Operations Command.

Vice President JD Vance visited the island early in his term, along with his wife Usha. 

The Vance’s visit was marred in controversy. Colonel Susannah Meyers, the commander of the Pituffik Space Base in Greenland, was removed from her role in April after she publicly disagreed with remarks made by the Vice President during the trip.

An April Washington Post poll found that while 68 percent of Americans believe Trump is serious about taking Greenland, just 22 percent support the gambit.