A Satirical Counteroffer: Denmark Buying California
In a clever twist to President Donald Trump’s controversial suggestion to buy Greenland, a satirical petition has emerged, proposing that Denmark should instead buy California. The tongue-in-cheek campaign, which has garnered over 200,000 signatures, playfully highlights the absurdity of geopolitical land grabs while poking fun at Trump’s repeated overtures toward purchasing Greenland.
The petition, hosted on a website called denmarkification.com, is filled with humor and Danish charm. Its title, “Måke Califørnia Great Ægain,” replaces English letters with Danish ones, setting the tone for the lighthearted proposal. The campaign jokingly suggests that Denmark, known for its rainy climate and limited winter sunlight, could benefit from California’s sunny weather, palm trees, and laid-back vibe. “Imagine swapping your rain boots for flip-flops,” the petition quips, referencing Denmark’s famously gloomy winters, which sometimes offer only an hour of sunlight a day, compared to California’s 300 days of sunshine annually.
The petition also lists a variety of supporters, including historical figures like Sven the Viking, pop culture icons like Lars Ulrich (Metallica’s Danish drummer), and even “Karen from accounting,” adding to the comedic tone. To make the buyout plan seem quasi-legitimate, the campaign has set a crowdfunding goal of $1 trillion—“give or take a few billion”—and aims to collect 500,000 signatures. At the bottom of the website, however, a disclaimer humorously clarifies, “This campaign is 100% real… in our dreams.”
Greenland’s Long History of Being a Geopolitical Flashpoint
President Trump’s interest in Greenland is not entirely new. The U.S. has considered acquiring the world’s largest island on at least two occasions: once in 1867 and again in 1946, when President Harry S. Truman offered Denmark $100 million for it. Greenland’s strategic location between the North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans makes it a valuable asset for military and economic purposes. However, the island has been under Danish control since the 14th century and became a self-governing territory in 1979.
Despite Trump’s repeated suggestions that the U.S. should buy Greenland, Denmark has emphatically rejected the idea. Greenland’s prime minister, Múte B. Egede, has been clear about the territory’s independence, stating, “Greenland is for the Greenlandic people. We do not want to be Danish; we do not want to be American.” This sentiment reflects the strong sense of identity among Greenland’s 56,000 inhabitants, most of whom are from Inuit tribes and are unlikely to support a sale.
Denmark’s Foreign Affairs Ministry has also dismissed Trump’s overtures, and the Danish Parliament recently passed a bill to prevent political parties from receiving foreign or anonymous contributions, likely in response to the geopolitical interest in Greenland. The bill’s preamble explicitly references the situation, noting that it is aimed at countering foreign influence in light of “an allied great power” expressing interest in acquiring Greenland.
The Man Behind the Satirical Campaign
The idea for the “Buy California” petition came to Xavier Dutoit, the campaign’s self-proclaimed “chief pastry officer,” during a night out with friends in the Philippines. Overhearing an American tourist loudly discussing Trump’s bid for Greenland, Dutoit was struck by the absurdity of the situation. He found it particularly surreal that a leader of a stable democracy would so brazenly suggest taking over another country’s territory.
The following morning, Dutoit decided to create a humorous website to entertain his friends. He never expected it to go viral. “I pulled together a funny campaign website that was fully intended to entertain my friends for a few days,” he wrote in an email. Instead, the petition began gaining explosive growth, with up to 1,000 new signatures per hour. By the time it went viral, Dutoit and his friends were overwhelmed by the response.
Dutoit has since been touched by the warm support from Californians and others around the world. Many have expressed enthusiasm for the idea of Denmark taking over California, with some even jokingly asking if their own states could be purchased by Denmark. “It seems that a lot of people needed this little bit of fun and levity, at a time when much of the public discourse is increasingly tense and worrying,” Dutoit said.
What’s Next for the Satirical Campaign?
While the petition is undeniably a joke, it has sparked lively discussions about identity, sovereignty, and the limitations of geopolitical power plays. The campaign’s website paints a whimsical picture of California under Danish rule, promising to bring “rule of law, universal healthcare, and fact-based politics” to the Golden State. It also jokes about deploying Lego executives—Denmark’s “bestest negotiatiors”—to secure the deal and introducing Danish culture to California, such as “hygge to Hollywood, bike lanes to Beverly Hills, and organic smørrebrød to every street corner.”
For now, the petition remains a symbolic gesture of resistance to Trump’s audacious proposal and a celebration of Denmark’s unique cultural identity. Whether it will reach its goal of 500,000 signatures remains to be seen, but its viral success shows that humor can be a powerful tool for engaging people in political discourse.
At its core, the campaign is a reminder that even in the face of serious geopolitical tensions, laughter and creativity can bring people together. As Dutoit and his friends have learned, sometimes all it takes is a funny idea and a well-timed website to capture the world’s attention.
The Bigger Picture: Sovereignty, Satire, and Global Politics
The “Buy California” petition may be a joke, but it highlights a deeper conversation about sovereignty, cultural identity, and the ethics of geopolitical maneuvering. While the campaign is unlikely to result in any real-world changes, it challenges people to think critically about the notion of countries buying or selling territories as if they were commodities.
Greenland’s independence movement, though small, reflects a broader desire for self-determination in regions with unique cultural and historical identities. The petition’s fictional scenario of Denmark buying California also raises questions about how residents of both places view their relationship with their respective ruling nations.
Ultimately, the campaign is a lighthearted way to address serious issues while giving people a much-needed laugh. As global politics continue to unfold, it’s likely that satire will remain a powerful tool for commentary and engagement.
