Interest in buying Greenland has "popped up from time to time in American politics," Tom Høyem, Denmark's former minister to Greenland, told ABC News in an interview.

There was even a 'horrendous' phone call between Trump and Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen that left officials in Denmark who'd been wondering how seriously to take Trump's rhetoric 'utterly freaked out' as they realised the US has a 'serious, and potentially very dangerous' interest in acquiring Greenland.

Anders Vistisen, a Danish member of the European Parliament, has told U.S. President Donald Trump to "f*** off" after Trump again expressed interest in purchasing the island of Greenland. Newsweek has contacted the White House for comment via email.