Greenland is not in a joking mood.
Donald J. Trump has repeatedly manifested US territorial plans in Greenland, which is now an autonomous Danish territory.
This caused a crisis in NATO and has brought the Greenlanders to the brink of a nervous breakdown.
So when a German comedian pulled off a prank by raising the American flag in the middle of the island’s capital, many people were left disproportionately outraged.
Man tries to raise American flag in Greenland’s capital Nuuk
Some say it’s a German comedian ‘trying to be funny’… or making fun of Americans?
The police are investigating pic.twitter.com/ZEgubfZDr4
— RT (@RT_com) January 29, 2026
People have been sent or gone to Greenland to fuck with them.
They tried to raise an American flag outside their cultural center but were stopped.
This behavior is just shameful and if you are American you should stand up against it. pic.twitter.com/3JEV2c963L
— Bricktop_NAFO (@Bricktop_NAFO) January 28, 2026
The mayor of Greenland’s capital railed about “media professionals and content creators” and urged them to “act responsibly.”
Euro news reported:
“Bavarian comedian Maxi Schafroth, 41, tried to run the Stars and Stripes into a flagpole near the cultural center in Nuuk before being confronted by angry passers-by.
When questioned, he claimed to be a US official before leaving, drawing disapproving looks from locals, according to an AFP journalist at the scene.
Today, the man behind the satire, German comedian Maxi Schafroth, apologized to the Greenlandic people and to the cultural center employee who prevented him from raising the American flag.
Q: You looked a little uncomfortable yesterday. Have you underestimated how serious the… pic.twitter.com/vVFhSAoxGW
— Orla Joelsen (@OJoelsen) January 29, 2026
Statement from Mayor Avaaraq Olsen:
Greenland and Kommuneqarfik Sermersooq are currently under intense international attention at a time of real fear and uncertainty for our people. In this situation, your choices, your jokes and your methods are not harmless.…
— Orla Joelsen (@OJoelsen) January 29, 2026
Schafroth was reported to the police and fined.
Mayor of the municipality of Sermersooq, Avaaraq Olsen, was furious.
“‘Raising a flag in the cultural center of our capital, the flag of a military superpower that has been implying military violence against our country for weeks, is not a joke,’ she said in a statement. It is not funny. It is deeply damaging.”
Statement from Mayor Avaaraq Olsen:
Greenland and Kommuneqarfik Sermersooq are currently under intense international attention at a time of real fear and uncertainty for our people. In this situation, your choices, your jokes and your methods are not harmless.…
— Orla Joelsen (@OJoelsen) January 29, 2026
“Greenland and Kommuneqarfik Sermersooq are currently under intense international attention at a time of real fear and uncertainty for our people. In this situation, your choices, your jokes and your methods are not harmless. They have consequences. Real consequences, for real people.
We have recently seen examples of visitors performing provocative stunts in public, using political symbols to increase shock value, and others approaching children with questions about war, violence and invasion. This is not satire. It’s not meaningful journalism. It is reckless behavior in a community that is already under psychological pressure.
Many of our citizens are concerned. Some are afraid. Children in particular have difficulty understanding the situation they hear about at home, online and on the street. Families deal with anxiety, insomnia and a constant sense of unease. When you reinforce that fear of content, clicks, or laughter, you are not being bold or creative. You are increasing the need of an already vulnerable population.
Children should never be treated as props. Approaching minors without parental consent, filming them or asking questions about soldiers, death or the loss of their home is unacceptable. It is harmful and very irresponsible.
Hoisting a flag in the cultural center of our capital, the flag of the military superpower that has been implying military violence against our country for weeks, is no joke. It’s not funny. It is extremely harmful.
You are guests here. With that comes responsibility. Cultural differences in humor are not an excuse for behavior that scares people or undermines their sense of security. Intention does not outweigh the impact.
Our government and municipal services work together every day to reduce stress and support residents during a difficult period. A handful of visiting personalities looking for viral moments shouldn’t undo that work. You need to understand the enormous damage you are casually causing to the people here.
So pause before you start filming. Think before you stage something ‘funny’. Consider whether your next question or stunt will inform the world, or simply make a child cry or a family feel less safe in their own country.
We welcome respectful visitors and responsible journalism. We do not tolerate behavior that harms our community.
To visiting media professionals and content creators: Think before you act
—Municipality of Sermersooq”
Read more:
US, Denmark and Greenland begin talks to resolve the diplomatic crisis over control of the Arctic island
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