The last time the U.S. made a land purchase from Denmark, it involved what eventually became known as Jeffrey Epstein’s notorious island, often referred to as “Epstein Island” or “Pedophile Island.”
Back in 1917, the U.S. acquired the islands now recognized as the U.S. Virgin Islands for $25 million—around $633 million in today’s dollars. This deal also involved a partial acknowledgment of Denmark’s authority over Greenland.
Among the approximately 60 islands involved in that transaction, Little St. James became infamous after it was bought by Epstein. This 70-acre island, acquired by him in 1998, served as his main residence and the site of numerous illicit gatherings involving minors.
The island gained its dark reputation after Epstein’s death in 2019.
Some users on social media have pointed out that the U.S. seemingly traded vast territories for a few islands, questioning why there’s a discussion about potentially reacquiring Greenland, especially considering the legacy tied to Little St. James.
“We already paid for this when we took the Virgin Islands from Denmark in 1917. It’s time to settle that bill,” one user remarked.
Another user described the 1917 deal as disastrous, suggesting it allowed Denmark to leverage U.S. interests for their benefit while hinting at geopolitical stakes surrounding the Arctic. “We might not get another chance to reclaim what we need,” they cautioned.
This conversation gained momentum after President Trump recently emphasized the importance of Greenland to both U.S. and global security, suggesting there would be significant consequences for European nations opposing the acquisition.
