Months after President Donald Trump expressed interest in the U.S. gaining control of Greenland, some of the world’s richest people, including Jeff Bezos, Bill Gates, Michael Bloomberg, and Sam Altman, began investing in the island’s mineral and infrastructure projects.
Ronald Lauder, heir to the Estée Lauder fortune, reportedly inspired Trump’s Greenland ambitions, according to former White House adviser John Bolton. Lauder has since invested in a Greenlandic freshwater bottling company and is pushing for a hydroelectric power station through Greenland Development Partners.
Bezos, Gates, and Bloomberg invested in Kobold Metals starting in 2019. The company explores rare earth minerals on Greenland using AI-powered technology. Sam Altman joined in 2022 through his VC fund Apollo Projects. Peter Thiel funded Praxis, a startup planning a “freedom city” on the island in 2021.
Kobold Metals’ valuation approached $3 billion in 2024, with billionaires using funds like Gates’ Breakthrough Energy to accelerate exploration. The company is currently raising more capital, potentially attracting further billionaire investment.
Trump recently escalated rhetoric, calling Greenland a national security priority. White House advisers initially hinted at possible military intervention, though officials later emphasized that action is unlikely. European leaders have supported Greenlandic sovereignty.
Elon Musk publicly supported the idea of annexation, tweeting that Greenlanders “would be most welcome” if they chose to join the U.S. Arctic security experts, however, caution that Lauder’s investments may be strategic rather than economically driven, aiming to strengthen U.S. influence.
Trump first publicly mentioned buying Greenland in 2019 but postponed discussions after Denmark rejected the idea as “absurd.” His interest resurfaced during his 2024 campaign, framing American ownership and control as a strategic necessity.
The billionaire involvement highlights a broader trend of ultra-wealthy investors following U.S. geopolitical cues in strategic, resource-rich regions like Greenland.
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