Denmark denies making awkward song choice just before Trump entered room
The Danish government has denied having any input to a playlist of songs after the Broadway classic ‘Send In The Clowns’ was played just before Donald Trump entered a room.
Leaders from Denmark, Greenland and the US were at the meeting in New York to sign an agreement over security in Greenland.
‘Send in the Clowns’ had ended before Donald Trump entered the room. AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson
Several different livestreams showed dignitaries and reporters gathering in the room as pop songs played over the loudspeakers.
As Marco Rubio entered the room, the Stephen Sondheim classic began to play.
"But where are the clowns? Send in the clowns. Don't bother, they're here," sang Judy Collins in the recording.
Trump entered soon after the song finished, alongside Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen.
The song choice prompted glee and scorn across social media, with the finger being pointed at the Danish delegation for the song choice.
But the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs denied any responsibility.
"Denmark was not involved in selecting the music for the signing ceremony," a spokesperson said.
President Donald Trump, left, shakes hands with Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen, right, as Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, centre, watches. AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson
Other songs on the playlist included ‘Be My Baby’ by the Ronettes and ‘One More Night’ by Phil Collins.
The deal signed at the UN General Assembly allows greater US military presence in Greenland but asserts Denmark's control over the island.
Greenland officials have touted the bill's significance as the first major foreign affairs agreement signed by a Greenland leader.
"This agreement recognises that we are a people with a right to self-determination," Nielsen said.
"At the same time, we are recognised as a part of our common security in the Arctic."
Greenland is an autonomous territory of Denmark, but there are growing calls for independence on the world’s largest island.
The deal with the US and Denmark is little different from a 1951 agreement. AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson
This deal with the US will remain in place even if Greenland gains independence from Denmark.
Sceptics have noted this agreement announced on Friday is not very different to a 1951 deal which was still in effect between the US and Denmark.
At its peak, the US had more than 10,000 military personnel stationed in Greenland, but now it has just 150.
Trump has sought to significantly escalate the number of troops on the island, something he did not need a new deal to do.
A former US base that is now occupied by a Danish dog sled patrol will soon have an American military presence again.
But the new arrangement would forbid adversaries of NATO from building military facilities on Greenland - something which was unlikely to be allowed anyway.
More significantly, it would allow the US to veto certain sensitive foreign investments in Greenland.
Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, Greenland’s leader Jens-Frederik Nielsen, and Greenland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Múte B. Egede have a beer after the deal with Donald Trump was signed. AP Photo/Mads Claus Rasmussen
"President Trump has made the safety of our nation and citizens a priority," Rubio said.
"Through his efforts, the United States, Denmark, and Greenland now have an unprecedented deal that strengthens our national security in the Arctic."
The agreement also locks the US into NATO membership, Frederiksen said after the signing.
"If the USA withdraws from the agreement, it thus no longer applies," she said.
"It is a very clear premise for this agreement that the countries that have signed the agreement are in NATO. All three countries are now."
While active on Truth Social today, Trump has not made mention of the Greenland deal.
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