A lighthearted proposal to sell California to Denmark has gained significant traction, garnering over 200,000 signatures as of Wednesday. This initiative emerged as a response to President Donald Trump’s remarks about acquiring Greenland, the expansive and resource-rich island in the Arctic.
“Have you ever gazed at a map and thought, ‘Wouldn’t Denmark benefit from more sun, palm trees, and roller skates?’” the petition humorously contemplates. It continues, “This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to turn that fantasy into reality.” The proposal suggests transforming California into “New Denmark,” whimsically referring to Los Angeles as “Løs Ångeles.”
Xavier Dutoit, who spearheaded the petition, was inspired during a recent vacation in the Philippines. He overheard an American tourist discussing Trump’s intentions regarding Greenland, which struck him as absurd. In an email, Dutoit expressed his concerns about the implications of a leader from a supposedly stable democracy like the U.S. making such threats regarding another nation’s sovereignty.
While Dutoit is of Swiss-French descent, he has assembled a diverse team of friends to support his initiative, including Kenneth Haar, a Dane residing in Copenhagen. Haar noted in a Zoom interview that the Greenland issue is currently a major political topic in Denmark, and it’s viewed as both concerning and disheartening.
Although the notion of “Løs Ångeles” is meant to be lighthearted, there is a genuine connection between California and Denmark found in the city of Solvang. Established in 1911 by Danish immigrants, Solvang is affectionately termed the “Danish capital of America.” Tourists flock to the town for its aebleskiver pastries, distinct Scandinavian architecture, and Copenhagen Drive. There’s even a museum dedicated to Hans Christian Andersen to celebrate the iconic Danish author, and members of the Danish royal family have visited over the years.
In 2019, Trump canceled a planned visit to Denmark after Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen dismissed his proposal to buy Greenland as absurd. Greenland is a semi-autonomous region of Denmark and holds a strategic alliance with the U.S. as fellow NATO members. More recently, Trump suggested he might consider military action to obtain Greenland, citing its importance for U.S. national security, while his son also made a trip to the island.
Múte B. Egede, the Prime Minister of Greenland, responded firmly, declaring, “Greenland belongs to the Greenlandic people. We have no desire to be Danish or American; we simply want to be Greenlandic.” Haar added that Danes are drawn to California’s breathtaking landscapes, in stark contrast to Denmark’s relatively flat terrain and unexciting climate.
The petition’s organizers are even reimagining Disneyland in their vision for a Danish-themed California: “We’ll rebrand it as Hans Christian Andersenland. Wouldn’t it be fantastic to see Mickey Mouse don a Viking helmet?”
Furthermore, the petition slyly notes Trump’s distaste for California. Last year, he referred to the state as “Paradise Lost” and frequently mocks Governor Gavin Newsom with the derogatory nickname “Newscum.”
However, the petition concludes with a touch of humor: “Disclaimer: This campaign is 100% real… in our dreams.”
