A satirical online petition calling on Danish citizens to crowdfund the purchase of California from the United States is gaining attention, drawing more than 280,000 signatures and injecting humour into
an otherwise tense geopolitical moment centred on Greenland and transatlantic relations.
The petition, titled “Let’s Buy California from Trump – Denmark’s Next Big Adventure,” was created almost a year ago by a group operating under the banner of Denmarkification.
For months, it attracted limited attention.
That changed sharply as US President Donald Trump once again stirred controversy by refusing to rule out drastic steps to take control of Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark.
The petition proposes that Denmark should “buy” California from the US, turning the tables on Trump’s repeated suggestions that Greenland could be acquired for American strategic interests.
The campaign’s tongue-in-cheek premise is that if large territories can be discussed as real estate, then Denmark might as well try its luck with the Golden State.
The organisers outline a mock plan to raise around $1 trillion through crowdfunding, joking that it would cost each Dane about 200,000 kroner.
In return, they promise Californians a distinctly Nordic makeover.
Among the offerings are “rule of law, universal health care, and fact-based politics,” along with a lifetime supply of Danish pastries.
The petition also pledges to export Danish “hygge”, the famously untranslatable concept of cosiness, to Hollywood, construct bike lanes through Beverly Hills, and ensure that organic smørrebrød, traditional Danish open-faced sandwiches, are available on every corner.
The humour extends to culture and branding.
Disneyland, the petition suggests, could be renamed “Hans Christian Andersenland,” complete with fairy-tale flair and a Scandinavian twist.
Los Angeles would be reimagined as “Løs Ångeles,” while California itself would become “New Denmark,” promoting Danish values under endless sunshine.
Meanwhile, Trump has recently refused to clarify how far he might go to secure Greenland, insisting it is vital for US national and global security.
Speaking ahead of the World Economic Forum in Davos, he suggested that “things are going to work out pretty well,” even as Denmark warned that any attempt to seize Greenland could endanger the NATO alliance.
Trump’s remarks have been accompanied by fresh threats of tariffs against European countries, including Germany, prompting alarm among European leaders and businesses.
Greenland’s own leadership has repeatedly said the island is not for sale, dismissing the idea outright despite Trump’s confidence that its people would be “thrilled.”
Against this backdrop of diplomatic tension, the creators of the Danish petition openly poke fun at Trump’s strained relationship with California, noting that he has frequently criticised the state and feuded with its leaders.
“We’re pretty sure he’d be willing to part with it for the right price,” the petition quips, adding that Danish pastries might help sweeten the deal.
