On March 13, 2025, in the Oval Office, President Donald Trump held court with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte. He spoke of Greenland, the massive Arctic island he believes the U.S. should control. “We need that for international security,” he declared. “I think it will happen.”

Trump’s fascination with Greenland is not new. It started during his first term. He floated the idea of buying the island. He insists it holds strategic value. It’s big, it’s rich in resources, and it sits in an important shipping lane. But the Greenlanders don’t want any part of it.

On March 14, 2025, Greenland’s leaders had something to say. Outgoing Prime Minister Múte Egede punctuated the conversation with a sharp retort: “Enough is enough.” He joined protests against Trump’s talk of annexation. Local opinion is clear. Polls show 85% of Greenlanders oppose being part of the U.S.

On that same day, officials in Greenland issued a joint statement. “We cannot accept repeated statements on annexation,” they said. They found Trump’s views on their home unacceptable. Lawmakers were united. No talks of control. No annexation. Just sovereignty.

The next day, on March 15, protesters took to the streets. In Nuuk, they marched to the U.S. consulate. They waved flags and held signs. “We are not for sale!” echoed through the crowd. Jens-Frederik Nielsen, the new leader of the Demokraatit party, led the march. “Our freedom will never be up for debate,” he declared.

For the Greenlanders, the threat of being annexed by the U.S. feels real. Trump’s intentions are unsettling. He speaks casually of sending troops. His administration sees the island’s resources as vital for national security.

Then, on March 18, the mood shifted with some satire. A petition in Denmark gained traction. It called for the country to buy California from the U.S. Nearly 300,000 involved. The title? “Let’s Buy California from Trump — Denmark’s Next Big Adventure.”

The petition is a cheeky response to Trump’s repeated claims about acquiring Greenland. It promises to bring “hygge” to Hollywood and rename Disneyland “Hans Christian Andersenland.” The petition pokes fun at Trump. It claims he might sell California “for the right price.”

This lighthearted campaign signifies the strong sentiment against Trump’s purchases. It’s a protest, wrapped in humor. The Danes want their voice heard. They don’t want Greenland to become America’s.

In the end, the Greenlanders and now the Danes are saying the same thing: they value their freedom too much. The world’s eyes are on Greenland as they fight for their sovereignty against a backdrop of Trump’s ambitions.

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