By DAVID WILCOCK, DEPUTY POLITICAL EDITOR
Published: 06:06 EST, 19 January 2026 | Updated: 06:07 EST, 19 January 2026
Basketball fans at an NBA game in London interrupted the singing of the US national anthem to cheer a heckler who shouted 'leave Greenland alone'.
In the wake of Donald Trump's bombastic demand that the US be handed the Danish island, singer Vanessa Williams was overshadowed as she performed the Star Spangled Banner at the O2.
She was providing the powerful vocals for what should have been a poignant moment - especially for ex-pat Americans - ahead of the Memphis Grizzlies' win over the Orlando Magic.
But as she belted out the anthem in a hushed arena, at the first NBS regular season game in London since 2019, a fan shouted 'leave Greenland alone'!
In footage of the moment posted on social media his shout was met with cheers from the crowd of thousands, although Ms Williams continued her performance unfazed.
The act did not go down well with Americans watching on at home, with many taking to social media to blame Trump for turning the country into a global laughing stock.
One commented: 'Trump's turned our country into a complete disaster'.
Sir Keir Starmer - who held a press conference in Downing Street this morning - told Trump in a call last night that attempt to coerce long-standing partners was 'wrong'.
In the wake of Donald Trump's bombastic demand that the US be handed the Danish island, singer Vanessa Williams was overshadowed as she performed the Star Spangled Banner at the O2.
Trump today ratcheted up the pressure on Nato over Greenland in a message to Norway's Prime Minister.
In an extraordinary letter the president warned that he 'no longer feels an obligation to think purely of peace' because he failed to win the Nobel Peace Prize.
He delivered the message after releasing a joint statement with Western leaders warning of a 'dangerous downward spiral' in relations.
It came as Trump today ratcheted up the pressure on Nato over Greenland in a message to Norway's Prime Minister.
In an extraordinary letter the president warned that he 'no longer feels an obligation to think purely of peace' because he failed to win the Nobel Peace Prize.
The US President again demanded Greenland is handed to America, repeating his claim Denmark can't protect it from Russia and China, in a letter to Jonas Gahr Støre, according to the Norwegian press.
The UK government has so far stayed silent on what it could do if Mr Trump follows through on his tariff threats.
He has vowed to impose a 10 per cent levy on all imports from countries opposing his landgrab - rising to 25 per cent if they have not caved in by June.
There are fears the move could cause major damage to the UK's pharma and car manufacturing industries.
Some economists have raised concerns it could even tip the country into recession, partly due to the uncertainty created by Mr Trump's chaotic behaviour.
Some MPs have been pushing Sir Keir to cancel the King's state visit to the US, due in April, as a protest.
Sir Keir Starmer - who held a press conference in Downing Streetthis morning - told Trump in a call last night that attempt to coerce long-standing partners was 'wrong'.
posting on his own Truth Social site in the early hours, Mr Trump said: 'NATO has been telling Denmark, for 20 years, that ''you have to get the Russian threat away from Greenland''.'
But the PM today tried to plough a conciliatory furrow in a split from the hardline approach of the EU.
Sir Keir indicated he does not believe Donald Trump is prepared to use military force to take over Greenland.
said the US 'remains a close ally' and he will speak to the US president about Greenland again 'in the coming days'.
European leaders have been signalling a far more aggressive response.
The bloc is considering deploying its so-called trade 'bazooka' for the first time in retaliation, an economic tool that would hit the US with £81billion in tariffs.
The 'big bazooka' is an anti-coercion instrument adopted in 2023 to combat political blackmail.
It allows the EU to restrict countries from participating in public tenders, limit trade licences and shut off access to the single market.
But there was no sign of the White House backing down, with one key figure blasting Europe as too weak to defend itself.