Danish initiative about California: "Not just a joke"

The joke about Denmark buying California has gone viral. But behind it lies a seriousness. It's an attempt to counter Trump's grotesque and absurd statements about controlling Greenland, says Kenneth Haar, one of the people behind the campaign, to TT.

» Published: February 13 2025

Danish initiative about California: "Not just a joke"
Photo: Yuki Iwamura/AP/TT

It all started when advertiser Xavier Dutoit met two Americans at a bar in Indonesia a few weeks ago.

They couldn't see the problem with Trump's outburst. Xavier got provoked and quickly drafted a campaign, and then started contacting about ten other people, including several Danes, and that's how I got into the picture, says Kenneth Haar, who works as a researcher in Brussels.

The campaign, which among other things proposes that Denmark introduce "hygge in Hollywood", has spread like wildfire through the media world and already got 240,000 signatures.

Denmark is flat and cold, so California could contribute with tropical beaches and a more vibrant landscape. That's the idea we're gathering support for. Of course, it's a joke, but it's not just a joke. By joking, we hope that people will understand the absurdity of negotiating territory.

The goal is for the campaign to get half a million signatures and reach President Donald Trump.

Right now, we hope that some journalist will ask him about this idea. Regardless of what he answers, I think it would show the absurdity of it all.

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TTT
By TT - Translated and adapted by Sweden Herald under license from TT

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