Republican Florida Senator Rick Scott appeared stumped during an interview Wednesday when he was asked about President-elect Donald Trump's refusal to rule out using military force to acquire Greenland and the Panama Canal.
Why It Matters
Scott is a longtime Trump ally and is the former governor of Florida. He is currently serving in his second term as a GOP senator and serves on the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. He recently lost a bid to become the Senate Majority Leader despite backing from high-profile Trump backer Elon Musk.
Newsweek reached out to Scott and the Trump transition team for comment via email.
The Context
Trump made comments regarding possible military use in Greenland or the Panama Canal on Tuesday during a wide-ranging news conference from his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.
"I'm not going to commit to that," Trump said in response to a question about possible military force. "It might be that you'll have to do something. The Panama Canal is vital to our country."
The president-elect added, "We need Greenland for national security purposes."
What To Know
Scott appeared on Fox Business' Varney & Co. Wednesday. Host Stuart Varney asked him, "Mr. Senator, taking over Greenland and the Panama Canal isn't a realistic proposal, is it? It's just a negotiating tactic, isn't it?"
Scott initially defended Trump's comments, saying, "Well, it'd be pretty exciting. I mean, if you think about it and we've got a president now that's going to focus on our national security."
He went on to say Greenland would "be a great strategic asset" for the U.S. and that the Panama Canal isn't "treating us fairly."
But Varney pressed him, asking, "Would you be OK with using the military?"
"I don't know what he means by that," Scott replied. "You know, the—but I—here's what I believe. It would be exciting if Greenland was part of the United States, that would be great for national security, and that's number one."
Referring to the Panama Canal, Scott said it "could not be treating America worse than other countries. So we'll see what [Trump] ends up doing. But look, I care, I'm appreciative that Trump is out there trying to make America great again."
Watch part of the interview below:
VARNEY: Mr. Senator, taking over Greenland and the Panama Canal isn't a realistic proposal, is it? It's just a negotiating tactic, isn't it?RICK SCOTT: Well, it would be pretty exciting.VARNEY: Would you be okay with using the military?SCOTT: I don't know what he means by that
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com) 2025-01-08T16:31:06.176ZTuesday wasn't the first time Trump had suggested the U.S. take over Greenland, which is currently a Danish territory. He's also suggested Canada become the 51st state but said Tuesday he would prefer to use "economic force" with respect to the U.S.'s northern neighbor as opposed to military force.
What People Are Saying
Ramus Jarlov, a conservative member of the Danish Parliament, told CNN Trump's comments about Greenland crossed a red line: "We want to keep good relations with the United States. It's good for both of us. We think it's certainly crucial for Denmark, but also on the other hand there are limits to what you can even take. Even if we're a small country, we still have our limits. This is too much."
Donald Trump Jr. wrote on X: "Greenland loves America and Trump!!! Incredible people with an equally awesome reception. They just want to be able to utilize some of the incredible resources that they have and allow themselves, their country, and their kids to flourish."
What Happens Next
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said on Tuesday that the United States is "absolutely our closest ally" and that her country is open to continuing to work together.
"We have a clear interest that it's the U.S. that plays a large role in that region, and not, for example, Russia," she said.
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