It’s understandable to struggle with remembering every name, but one would expect the U.S. president to recall the name of his closest colleague’s spouse. However, during a press briefing at the White House, Trump seemed to stumble over his words.
He was addressing the upcoming trip of the second lady and U.S. national security adviser Mike Waltz to Greenland on March 27, a visit that has already sparked controversy.
Greenlanders have voiced concerns, calling the trip a “demonstration of power” on Trump’s part. The president, however, insisted that the delegation was “invited,” a claim that Greenland’s government swiftly denied.
In an official statement, Greenland’s government clarified: “Just for the record, Naalakkersuisut, the government of Greenland, has not extended any invitations for any visits, neither private nor official.”
During his speech, Trump attempted to mention Usha Vance but hesitated, ultimately referring to her only as JD Vance’s wife.
“I thought it would be a great… I have great respect for, er, the wife of our first… of our great vice president. I think she’s doing a… she’s a brilliant woman. She’s, er, a very nice woman and she loves the concept of Greenland,” Trump said.
Even FOX Business host Larry Kudlow struggled to recall her name, saying on air: “Mike Waltz [is] going to Greenland, the erm… er, JD Vance’s wife is going to Greenland.”
While Trump insists that the upcoming trip is purely about friendship, Greenland’s leadership remains skeptical.
“So they’re going there, and that’s purely friendship … People from Greenland are asking us to go. We have many, many requests from many, many people – some officials, too,” Trump claimed.
However, Greenland’s Prime Minister, Múte B. Egede, pushed back against this assertion.
In a statement to local news, he said: “We are now at a level where it can in no way be characterized as a harmless visit from a politician’s wife.”
Questioning the motives behind the visit, he added: “What is the national security adviser doing in Greenland? The only purpose is to demonstrate power over us.”
