Silicon Valley Eyes Greenland for Libertarian Tech Hub Amid Trump’s Expansion Push:

Silicon Valley’s quest for low-regulation innovation hubs may soon stretch beyond U.S. borders. According to sources, several prominent tech investors are exploring the possibility of developing a “freedom city” in Greenland, inspired by libertarian values and futuristic technologies. The discussions coincide with the Trump administration's intensified push to purchase or annex Greenland from Denmark, a strategy that could align U.S. geopolitical interests with the ambitions of Silicon Valley elites.

Freedom City Concept Gains Momentum

The idea is reportedly supported by Ken Howery, Trump’s nominee for ambassador to Denmark and a co-founder of a venture capital firm with billionaire Peter Thiel. Known for advocating charter cities and minimal regulation, Thiel and his network have long promoted the concept of experimental city-building outside conventional government structures.

While still in early stages, the proposed Greenland city could become a hub for artificial intelligence, autonomous vehicles, micro-nuclear reactors, space exploration, and high-speed rail, sources told Reuters. This aligns with broader efforts by the tech-libertarian movement to create innovation zones with relaxed governance, similar to ventures in Honduras (Próspera) and projects backed by Pronomos Capital, where Thiel and Marc Andreessen are known investors.

Strategic Interest in Greenland

Greenland is roughly three times the size of Texas but is home to just 57,000 people. It holds substantial deposits of rare-earth minerals and is of increasing interest to the U.S. military, which already operates a base there. Trump has previously suggested acquiring Greenland, and more recently has refused to rule out a military takeover if Denmark declines to sell.

Vice President JD Vance recently visited Greenland alongside his wife, sparking protests from local residents and criticism from Greenland’s prime minister. Vance accused Denmark of failing to defend Greenland against growing geopolitical pressures from China and Russia.

A Tech-Led Expansion Strategy

Some investors, including Praxis co-founder Dryden Brown, are positioning Greenland as a potential model for space colonization trials, citing its harsh climate as a proxy for conditions on Mars—one of Elon Musk’s long-term ambitions.

Brown wrote on social media, “We must build a prototype of Terminus on Earth before departing for Mars. I believe Greenland is the place.”

Praxis, backed by investors including Joe Lonsdale, Shervin Pishevar, and a fund linked to OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, recently raised $525 million for city-building initiatives. According to Brown, other companies have expressed interest in collaborating on a Greenland project.

Growing Libertarian Influence in U.S. Policy

The push for a Greenland freedom city reflects a broader tech-driven narrative of "new American frontiers"—an echo of 19th-century Manifest Destiny. Prominent figures like Thiel have previously criticized democratic systems as incompatible with liberty, promoting alternatives such as seasteading and privatized governance.

While it's unclear whether Thiel or Andreessen are directly lobbying the Trump administration on Greenland, their venture capital networks have funded numerous experimental city models across the globe.