A Lighthearted Petition for California: Bringing Hygge to Hollywood

In a playful response to former U.S. President Donald Trump’s infamous suggestion of purchasing Greenland, a group of Danish citizens has launched a humorous petition to "buy" the state of California. The petition, which has quickly gained traction, promises to "bring hygge to Hollywood" while poking fun at the idea of geopolitical acquisitions. With over 200,000 signatures by midday Wednesday, the campaign has become a lighthearted exercise in creativity and national pride. "Have you ever looked at a map and thought: ‘You know what Denmark needs? More sunshine, palm trees, and roller skates?’" the petition asks, framing the idea as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to turn California into "New Denmark."

The Vision for New Denmark: Disneyland Meets Hans Christian Andersen

The petition outlines a whimsical vision for California under Danish rule, blending the Golden State’s iconic imagery with Denmark’s cultural heritage. For instance, Disneyland would be rebranded as "Hans Christian Andersenland," a nod to the beloved Danish author of fairy tales like The Little Mermaid and The Ugly Duckling. The petition quips, "Mickey Mouse in a Viking helmet? Yes, please," imagining a unique fusion of American pop culture and Scandinavian charm. Additionally, the plan humorously suggests sending "Lego executives and the cast of Borgen" to broker the deal, ensuring that Danish values like the "rule of law, universal healthcare, and fact-based politics" would apply to the new territory. Los Angeles would even be renamed "Løs Ångeles," a cheeky blend of Danish and Californian identities.

A Tongue-in-Cheek Financial Plan

While the petition is clearly meant as a joke, it includes a tongue-in-cheek financial proposal to make the dream of "New Denmark" a reality. The campaign sets a target of "one trillion dollars (give or take a few billion)," calculator in hand, it breaks this down to "just 200,000 kroner (£22,335) from every Dane." Of course, this is an astronomical figure, but the absurdity of the request only adds to the humor. Hidden in the fine print is a disclaimer that reads, "This campaign is 100% real… in our dreams," acknowledging that the entire idea is more of a fantasy than a serious political or economic proposal.

Trump’s Greenland Ambitions: The Backstory

The petition is a direct response to Donald Trump’s controversial comments about purchasing Greenland during his first term as U.S. President. Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory, is a vast and mineral-rich Arctic island that has long been strategically important. Trump’s suggestion to claim it was met with fierce resistance from Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, who called the idea "absurd." The situation escalated into a full-blown diplomatic row, with Trump even canceling a planned visit to Denmark in 2019. More recently, Trump hinted that he might not rule out using military force to seize control of Greenland, claiming it was vital to U.S. national security.

Rejection from Greenland and Denmark

Despite Trump’s persistent interest in Greenland, both the Danish and Greenlandic governments have made it clear that the island is not for sale. At a joint press conference in Copenhagen last month, Prime Minister Frederiksen and Greenland’s Prime Minister, Mute B Egede, reaffirmed their opposition to the idea. "Greenland is for the Greenlandic people," Egede declared. "We do not want to be Danish, we do not want to be American. We want to be Greenlandic." This stance reflects the strong sense of independence and identity among Greenland’s population, who are determined to chart their own course in the world.

A Humorous Reflection of Geopolitical Ambitions

The Danish petition to "buy" California is, of course, not a serious political proposal. Instead, it serves as a clever and humorous rebuttal to Trump’s geopolitical ambitions. By flipping the script and imagining Denmark as the one doing the "acquiring," the campaign highlights the absurdity of treating entire nations as commodities. At the same time, it celebrates Danish culture and values, offering a lighthearted vision of what it might mean to "Danify" California. While the petition is unlikely to lead to any real-world changes, it has succeeded in sparking conversations about national identity, geopolitical power, and the importance of humor in diplomacy. For those who’ve signed, it’s a fun way to engage with global politics—while dreaming of a world where hygge and Hollywood can coexist.