In a bold move, U.S. President Donald Trump is pursuing legislation that could grant him the authority to negotiate with Denmark to acquire Greenland. According to a new bill introduced in Congress, Trump would not only secure the island but would also be able to rename it, with a suggestion for the new name: “Red, White and Blueland.”
Georgia Representative Buddy Carter, a Republican, proposed the bill on Monday, and it now awaits approval from both the House of Representatives and the Senate. The bill would empower Trump to strike a deal with Denmark to purchase Greenland, a move Trump argues is critical to U.S. security. The U.S. already maintains a significant military presence on the island due to its strategic location between Russia and the United States.
Despite Denmark’s repeated refusals, including a statement from Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen declaring that Greenland is “not for sale,” Trump remains confident about his plans. Speaking to the press, Trump remarked, “I think we’re going to have it,” adding that Greenland’s 57,000 inhabitants “want to be with us,” although many Greenlanders have expressed the opposite sentiment.
Greenland’s value lies not only in its strategic location but also in its vast reserves of rare earth minerals essential for technology, making it a coveted asset. Denmark retains nominal sovereignty over Greenland through a colonial agreement, but the island has significant autonomy in its local governance.
While Trump pursues Greenland, Denmark has started a lighthearted yet curious campaign to acquire California, the wealthiest state in the U.S. Nearly 200,000 people have signed an online petition calling for the “Denmarkification” of California, with hopes of raising $1 trillion through crowdsourcing to fund the purchase.
The petition humorously asks, “Have you ever looked at a map and thought, ‘You know what Denmark needs?’ More sunshine, palm trees, and roller skates.” The petition’s organizers believe that incorporating California into the Danish kingdom would offer a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the region to thrive.
Through the initiative, the petition claims that Denmark would “make California great again” by bringing Danish innovation and values to the Golden State. While the idea is clearly satirical, it has sparked widespread interest online, showcasing the playful side of international diplomacy.
As these contrasting efforts unfold, the world watches to see if either Trump’s acquisition of Greenland or Denmark’s California campaign gains any real momentum.
