Jeff Landry, President Donald Trump’s special envoy for Greenland, suggested in a message for Greenland’s National Day that the United States could add a 51st state as early as next year.

Landry, who is also governor of Louisiana, posted the message on X on June 21. He congratulated Greenlanders on their national day and referred to the island’s culture, traditions and heritage before turning to a possible future with the United States.

“As America inches closer to her 250th Independence Day, we join in the celebration of liberty and opportunity,” Landry wrote. He added that perhaps America’s 251st birthday could be celebrated with the addition of its 51st state.

The comment comes as Trump continues to express interest in Greenland. The president has repeatedly said he wants the United States to take over the island.

Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark and has extensive self-government. It handles many domestic affairs, while foreign, defense and security policy remain with the Kingdom of Denmark.

Trump appointed Landry as special envoy for Greenland in December 2025, Sermitsiaq reported. Landry visited Nuuk in May for the Future Greenland business conference, where he met Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen and foreign affairs minister Múte B. Egede.

During the visit, Greenlandic leaders said Greenland is not for sale and that the Greenlandic people’s right to self-determination is not up for discussion.

Danish and Greenlandic leaders have repeatedly rejected the idea of a U.S. takeover.