Danish activists have proposed buying the state of California for 1 trillion dollars in response to Donald Trump’s attempts to purchase Greenland. The humorous campaign, organized by the group Denmarkification, is gaining popularity and has already collected over 198,000 signatures. Does this initiative have purely a humorous nature, or does it hide a deeper meaning?
How did the idea of buying California arise?
In 2019, then-US President Donald Trump proposed to Denmark to sell him Greenland – an autonomous territory belonging to the kingdom. This statement caused outrage among the Danes, who decided to respond to him in a witty way. The Denmarkification group proposed to buy California, citing its mild climate, flourishing economy, and diverse cultural features.
What does “Denmarkification” of California entail?
The campaign website describes the creative changes that activists want to implement:
- Renaming California to “New Denmark”, and Los Angeles to Løs Ångeles.
- Sending the best Danish negotiators, including leaders from Lego and actors from the series Borgen.
- Rewards for donors, including the opportunity to get a beach in Malibu.
It also involves using California’s resources for the development of Denmark, including:
- Unlimited avocado supplies (California produces 90% of this product in the US).
- Access to innovative technologies from Silicon Valley.
- The possibility to rename Disneyland to “Hans Christian Andersen’s Land”.
Humor or political statement?
Although the campaign has a humorous tone, it carries an important political subtext. Activists point out that Trump has repeatedly criticized California for its environmental and immigration policies. Therefore, they are ironizing the idea that the president could sell the state if he received the “right price.” Furthermore, the initiative highlights the contrast between Trump’s views and the liberal Californian society.
Is the State Sale Possible?
The actual sale of California to Denmark is, of course, impossible. However, this campaign has become a way to draw attention to political tensions between the Trump administration and progressive regions of the USA.
Interestingly, among the fictional supporters of the idea, even celebrities with Danish roots are mentioned, including Viggo Mortensen – an actor known for his role as Aragorn in The Lord of the Rings. This adds even more humor to the situation.
Conclusion
The Denmarkification campaign is a bright example of how satire can draw attention to important political issues. Humorous proposals regarding the purchase of territories can actually highlight global problems such as geopolitical tensions, environmental policies, and the struggle for identity. So, while the “Denmarkification” of California will never become a reality, it has already achieved its goal – making the world think and laugh at the same time.
