Trump says he sent a hospital ship to Greenland, so why is it docked in Alabama?

Fortune

by Kirsten Grieshaber, Konstantin Toropin, Devi Shastri, The Associated Press

February 24, 2026

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U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that he had dispatched a hospital ship to Greenland due to reports of widespread illness there, despite both U.S. Navy hospital ships being docked in Alabama for maintenance. This move has sparked criticism and defense from Greenland’s Prime Minister, who highlighted the country’s robust healthcare system, which provides free services to citizens. The announcement also reignited tensions over Trump’s repeated suggestions of purchasing or controlling Greenland, a semiautonomous territory of Denmark. Greenland’s healthcare system is well-established, with universal access to free care, including general practitioners, specialists, and hospital services. The Queen Ingrid Hospital in Nuuk serves the entire population of approximately 57,000 people, supported by regional health centers. While there are challenges, such as a rising prevalence of chronic diseases like obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular issues, life expectancy has improved significantly over the past decades, now exceeding global averages. Despite these advancements, remote areas face difficulties accessing medical care due to staffing shortages and geographic isolation. The U.S. hospital ships, USNS Mercy and USNS Comfort, are currently undergoing repairs in Mobile, Alabama, with no deployment scheduled for Greenland. Trump’s claim that a ship was already en route contradicts publicly available tracking data, which shows both vessels remain in the southern state until at least April. This latest assertion has drawn skepticism, as it aligns with Trump’s history of making controversial statements about Greenland

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Originally published on Fortune on 2/24/2026