A satirical stunt by German comedian Maxi Schafroth sparked outrage in Greenland. According to T‑Online, the cabaret artist – who also works on the NDR show “Extra 3” – tried on Wednesday to hoist a U.S. flag outside the cultural centre in Nuuk, the capital. A staff member at the centre intervened and stopped the act.
Soon after, Greenlandic activist Orla Joelsen posted a video that purported to show the scene and wrote, “If you do not respect our values, why are you in Nuuk? Shame on you, you fool”. In a later message she added that the actor was a German comedian who had “tried to be funny by presenting himself as a U.S. government representative”. Joelsen said a complaint had been filed against Schafroth.
The North German Broadcasting Service confirmed on request that the filming had taken place. An “Extra 3” crew member had indeed tried to raise a U.S. flag in a public square in Nuuk. “A fine was imposed on the spot” an NDR spokesperson said. The broadcaster added that it regretted any impression that the satire had been directed at the people of Greenland.
An eyewitness reported that Schafroth had indeed posed as a U.S. government representative. “He panicked when he saw how strong the backlash was” she told T‑Online. Schafroth quickly left the square, leaving “a lot of chaos, especially given the tense political climate”. Just the day before, he had caused confusion at Nuuk Airport by announcing that U.S. President Donald Trump had landed, but the cheers were actually for a local youth soccer team.
