Thousands of people have signed a petition supporting a lighthearted and humorous campaign to “Denmarkify” California, suggesting that Denmark should purchase the state from the United States. The petition, which has already garnered over 200,000 signatures, also proposes turning Disneyland into “Hans Christian Andersenland,” a nod to Denmark’s beloved fairy tale author. The campaign is a playful response to President Donald Trump’s repeated interest in acquiring Greenland, a territory of Denmark, for the United States. Trump has not ruled out using military force or economic pressure to make Greenland part of the U.S., a move that has been firmly rejected by Greenland’s leader, Múte B. Egede, and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.
The petition, cleverly titled “Denmarkification,” is filled with humor and wit, poking fun at the political tensions between the U.S. and Denmark over Greenland. “Los Angeles? More like Løs Ångeles,” the petition quips, blending Danish and American cultures. The campaign’s website adds, “Have you ever looked at a map and thought, ‘You know what Denmark needs? More sunshine, palm trees, and roller skates.’ Well, we have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make that dream a reality. Let’s buy California from Donald Trump!” The authors of the petition suggest that Trump, who has been critical of California and its leaders, might be willing to part with the state for the right price. “Let’s be honest – Trump isn’t exactly California’s biggest fan. He’s called it ‘the most ruined state in the Union’ and has feuded with its leaders for years,” the petition states. “We’re pretty sure he’d be willing to part with it for the right price.”
The petition’s crowdfunding goal is set at $1 trillion, with the organizers acknowledging that the figure is “give or take a few billion.” While the amount is clearly unrealistic, the campaign uses humor to highlight the absurdity of the situation. The petition outlines five major incentives for Danes to support the plan: sunshine, California’s technology sector, avocado toast, protecting the free world, and Disneyland, which would be renamed “Hans Christian Andersenland.” The idea of rebranding Disneyland as a tribute to the famous Danish author is a clever touch, with the petition joking, “Mickey Mouse in a Viking helmet? Yes, please.” If California were to become a Danish territory, the capital could be moved from Sacramento to Solvang, a small city in California known as the “Danish Capital of America.” Founded by Danish immigrants in 1911, Solvang is home to Danish-style architecture and the Elverhøj Museum of History & Art, which celebrates the city’s Danish heritage.
The petition is not just a joke; it also reflects the broader political tensions between the U.S. and Denmark over Greenland. Trump’s interest in acquiring Greenland has been met with fierce resistance from Danish leaders, who emphasize that Greenland’s future must be decided by its people. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has called Trump’s fixation on Greenland “absurd,” while Greenland’s leader, Múte B. Egede, has made it clear that the island’s inhabitants do not want to become Americans. The petition, while lighthearted, serves as a satirical counterpoint to Trump’s serious overtures toward Greenland, highlighting the absurdity of the situation.
The campaign has sparked a mix of reactions, with some people embracing the humor and others taking it as a serious commentary on the strained relations between the U.S. and Denmark. Fox News Digital has reached out to the White House and the office of California Governor Gavin Newsom for comment, but there has been no official response so far. The petition’s organizers are likely aware that their campaign is unlikely to succeed, but they are using it as a way to draw attention to the issue and to poke fun at the political rhetoric surrounding it.
In conclusion, the “Denmarkification” petition is a clever and humorous response to Trump’s interest in Greenland, using satire to highlight the absurdity of the situation. While the campaign is unlikely to result in California becoming a Danish territory, it has already achieved its goal of sparking conversation and bringing a smile to people’s faces. Whether or not the petition succeeds, it serves as a reminder of the power of humor and creativity in addressing complex political issues.
