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2w ago

Fan Shouts 'Leave Greenland Alone' During U.S. Anthem at NBA London Game

The viral moment crystallized public resistance abroad to tariff threats tied to President Trump’s push to take control of Greenland.

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Vanessa Williams singing the US national anthem before the NBA London Game 2026 at the O2 Arena, London on Sunday, January 18.
Vanessa Williams sings before an NBA basketball between the Memphis Grizzlies and the Orlando Magic Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026, in London.

Overview

  • During Vanessa Williams’ rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner at London’s O2 Arena, a spectator yelled the phrase, drawing a mix of boos, claps and cheers as she finished the song.
  • The interruption preceded the Memphis Grizzlies’ 126-109 win over the Orlando Magic in the NBA’s first regular-season game in the British capital since 2019.
  • The outburst referenced President Donald Trump’s renewed bid to bring Greenland under U.S. control and his public threats of tariffs on eight European nations opposing the move.
  • Leaders from multiple European countries issued a joint rebuke of the levies, and Greenland’s prime minister reiterated that annexation talk and coercion are unacceptable.
  • The heckler has not been identified, and video of the moment spread widely online as another sign of strained transatlantic relations over sovereignty and trade pressure.