A Trump-appointed official who has long advocated for stronger U.S. ties with Greenland says the effort could come with an unlikely bonus for American diners: the return of all-you-can-eat shrimp at Red Lobster.
Thomas Dans, a Texas financier who chairs the U.S. Arctic Research Commission, floated the idea in a New Yorker profile that described him as a key figure behind President Trump’s push to broaden American influence over Greenland.
“My view is that the United States could take all the seafood Greenland could produce, and cut out the middleman, and keep it from China — and you could bring back all-you-can-eat shrimp at Red Lobster,” Dans told the magazine.
According to The New Yorker, Dans — whom Danish authorities have accused of helping conduct “influence operations” intended to boost U.S. sway over the Arctic island — also served on a previously undisclosed National Security Council task force centered on Greenland during Trump’s first administration.
The Post has reached out to Dans and the White House for comment.
Dans, a longtime Trump supporter, previously held a role at the Treasury Department during Trump’s first term, serving as counselor to the under secretary for international affairs and assisting with oversight of parts of the federal government’s pandemic relief programs.
More recently, he has drawn attention for his work on Greenland and Arctic policy through American Daybreak, a group that promotes closer relations between the United States and Greenland.
Trump has repeatedly emphasized Greenland’s strategic importance, arguing that the massive Arctic island is vital to U.S. national security because of its position between North America and Europe, as well as its proximity to emerging shipping lanes and valuable natural resources.
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After first floating the idea of purchasing Greenland during his first term, Trump revived the push after returning to office, declaring that US “ownership and control” of the territory was an “absolute necessity” for national security.
While Trump has framed Greenland as a national-security imperative, critics have warned that any attempt to acquire the territory would strain relations with Denmark, a longtime NATO ally.
Polling has also shown overwhelming opposition among Greenlanders to becoming part of the US.
It is also unclear how a potential US acquisition of Greenland would boost Red Lobster’s fortunes.
The chain’s signature “Endless Shrimp” promotion has long been one of its biggest draws, allowing diners to order unlimited servings of shrimp for a fixed price.
But the deal became infamous after Red Lobster’s previous management team made it a permanent menu fixture in 2023, a move that attracted customers but hammered profits as seafood and labor costs piled up.
Former owner Thai Union later disclosed that the promotion contributed to an operating hit of roughly $11 million during a single quarter, helping turn “Endless Shrimp” into a symbol of the restaurant chain’s financial troubles.
Red Lobster ultimately filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in May 2024, though the company has said a range of factors — including inflation, rising costs and operational challenges — contributed to its downfall.
After emerging from bankruptcy under new ownership, Red Lobster initially distanced itself from the promotion before bringing back “Endless Shrimp” as a limited-time offering rather than a permanent menu item.
