Denmark denies choosing ‘Send in the Clowns’ before Greenland deal signing

Denmark’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has denied choosing the song «Send in the Clowns,» which was played shortly before the signing of a security agreement between the U.S., Denmark and Greenland at the United Nations headquarters in New York last week, Euronews reported.

Footage from the ceremony shows U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in the room while Judy Collins’ version of the Stephen Sondheim song was playing. Social media posts claimed that Danish officials deliberately selected the song ahead of the Sept. 22 ceremony, attended by U.S. President Donald Trump, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen.

However, Denmark’s Foreign Ministry told Euronews that Danish officials were not involved in selecting the music. U.N. officials also denied any involvement, saying they did not organize the event.

The signing ceremony marked the culmination of 10 months of negotiations over a new security agreement between the U.S., Denmark and Greenland. The talks came amid calls by senior U.S. officials for greater American control over Greenland, a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark.

Under the agreement, the U.S. can expand its military presence in Greenland by modernizing and enlarging the existing Pituffik Space Base and establishing additional defense areas, including at Narsarsuaq and Mestersvig.

The agreement also provides U.S. forces with access to and freedom of movement between designated defense areas by land, air and sea. U.S. aircraft will also be permitted to fly over and land in Greenland under the terms of the deal.

Denmark, meanwhile, is also increasing its military presence on the island, including by deploying conscripts to Greenland as part of efforts to strengthen security in the Arctic and North Atlantic.