A petition from Denmark calling for the purchase of California has gained traction, reportedly in response to President Donald Trump’s previous interest in acquiring the country of Greenland. The online initiative, humorously dubbed “Denmarkification,” has attracted nearly 200,000 signatures from Danish citizens.
The petition playfully suggests that Denmark could use more “sunshine, palm trees, and roller skates” and proposes a $1 trillion crowdfunding goal to acquire the Golden State. It even jokes about renaming Disneyland to “Hans Christian Andersenland” and giving Mickey Mouse a Viking helmet.
The campaign comes after President Trump questioned Denmark’s sovereignty over Greenland, an autonomous territory that hosts a U.S. military base.
Trump has long expressed concerns about California, calling it “the most ruined state in the Union” and frequently clashing with its leadership over policy matters. The petition implies that he might be open to selling it for the right price.
Before beginning his second term, President Trump reiterated the importance of U.S. control over strategic locations such as the Panama Canal and Greenland, citing national security concerns.
He did not rule out military action to secure them, signaling a shift from previous U.S. policy that emphasized self-determination over territorial expansion.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen responded to Trump’s remarks by reaffirming Denmark’s strong alliance with the United States. While she welcomed American interest in the Arctic, she emphasized that any engagement must respect the people of Greenland.
Despite the lighthearted nature of the Danish petition, the geopolitical stakes surrounding U.S.-Denmark relations and Arctic security remain serious.
