NBA Anthem Interruption in London

During the Orlando Magic vs. Memphis Grizzlies NBA game on Sunday in London, the American national anthem was unexpectedly interrupted by someone who shouted a plea for the U.S. to “leave Greenland alone.”

Vanessa Williams had been singing ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ at the O2 Arena when a heckler voiced their discontent as the song approached its conclusion. Unsurprisingly, this outburst elicited applause from the audience.

Since his re-election last year, President Donald Trump has claimed that the U.S. maintains greater authority over Greenland than Denmark itself. This semi-autonomous territory is strategically vital, housing crucial U.S. military bases and becoming increasingly important due to melting ice that opens up new shipping routes and exposes rich natural resources.

On Friday, President Trump indicated that he might impose new tariffs on nations that do not align with America’s plans regarding Greenland. “We may impose tariffs on countries that don’t agree with Greenland because we need Greenland for national security,” he expressed.

These comments have stirred unease in Denmark and other NATO allies. Reacting to the situation, troops from various European nations—namely France, Germany, Sweden, and Norway—have deployed to Greenland as a precaution.

Interestingly enough, there has been some criticism regarding the performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner” at international sporting events. This included instances during two WWE live events in 2025, where Canadian audiences booed the anthem prior to matches featuring U.S. teams.