NBA heckler yells 'Leave Greenland alone' during US national anthem at London game

The American nationalist anthem that was being performed earlier an NBA crippled betwixt the Orlando Magic and Memphis Grizzlies successful London was interrupted connected Sunday by a idiosyncratic pleading for the U.S. to "leave Greenland alone."

Vanessa Williams sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" earlier the crippled astatine the O2 Arena. As she was nearing the extremity of that song, the heckler fto retired their outburst. The plea led to immoderate applause successful the crowd.

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Vanessa Williams sings earlier an NBA hoops betwixt the Memphis Grizzlies and the Orlando Magic Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026, successful London. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

President Donald Trump has been insistent astir the U.S. controlling Greenland implicit Denmark since helium assumed bureau for the 2nd clip past year.

A semi-autonomous territory of Denmark, Greenland is location to a important U.S. subject basal and has taken connected increasing strategical value arsenic melting crystal opens caller shipping lanes and entree to a wealthiness of earthy resources.

On Friday, Trump went a measurement further. He said helium would see imposing caller duties imposing caller duties connected countries that defy his plans for the U.S. to get Greenland.

People protestation against Trump's argumentation towards Greenland successful beforehand of US consulate successful Nuuk, Greenland, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)

WHY TRUMP ZEROED IN ON GREENLAND AND WHY IT MATTERS IN 3 MAPS

"I whitethorn enactment a tariff connected countries if they don't spell on with Greenland, due to the fact that we request Greenland for nationalist security," helium said.

His caller remarks person drawn interest from Denmark and other NATO allies, prompting troops from respective European countries – including France, Germany, Sweden and Norway – to deploy to Greenland for information measures.

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"The Star-Spangled Banner" has travel nether occurrence during its show earlier sporting events overseas. The contented occurred earlier 2 WWE premium unrecorded events successful 2025. Canadian fans besides booed the U.S. nationalist anthem astatine the 4 Nations Face Off and earlier an MLS match.

Fox News’ Amanda Macias contributed to this report.

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