As Usha Vance, the second lady of the United States, prepares for her impending visit to Greenland, a local artist's anti-MAGA hat bearing the phrase "Make America Go Away" has taken the internet by storm.
The hat's creator, Aannguaq Reimer-Johansen, has expressed his belief that Vance's visit is nothing more than a "charm offensive." He hopes that his fellow Greenlanders will join him in demonstrating their opposition to any potential American takeover of their homeland.
According to Newsweek, Reimer-Johansen's sentiments echo the broader political climate in Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory that has found itself in the crosshairs of the Trump administration. The U.S. government has repeatedly suggested that taking control of mineral-rich Greenland would be beneficial for national security.
However, the Greenlandic people have shown a clear preference for independence, as evidenced by the recent electoral victory of the center-right Demokraatit party. The party's platform centered on a gradual separation from Denmark and a firm rejection of any affiliation with the U.S. Jens-Friederik Nielsen, the newly elected leader of the Demokraatit party, stated unequivocally to Sky News, "We don't want to be Americans."
The announcement of Usha Vance's upcoming visit to Greenland on March 27, where she will tour historical sites and attend the national dogsled race, has only added fuel to the fire. Her husband, JD Vance, previously suggested that the U.S. should "take more territorial interest in Greenland," a statement that has not been well-received by the Greenlandic people.
The anti-MAGA hats gained significant attention after being shared on X (formerly Twitter) by Greenlandic photographer Orla Joelson. The post, featuring an image of the hat and Reimer-Johansen's comment about the charm offensive, has garnered over 26,000 likes.
The question of U.S. control over Greenland has been a contentious issue since President Donald Trump expressed his desire to acquire the island "one way or another" during his joint address to Congress. His administration has also repeatedly expressed interest in making Canada the "51st state" and gaining control of the Panama Canal.
Prior to these developments, Greenland had been moving towards gaining independence from Denmark, which currently oversees its monetary, security, and foreign policy. The majority of Greenland's population, primarily indigenous Inuits, seem to be rejecting Trump's proposals, as evidenced by the pro-independence stance of most parties in the recent election.
In a Facebook post, Reimer-Johansen urged his fellow Greenlanders to resist the charm offensive, stating, "If you smile at them or take a selfie with them, you are sending a message to the world that you love the USA and want to be part of it. It is recommended not to show interest. We have already expressed our stance through a large demonstrationlet's remain firm and stay united."
Nielsen, the Demokraatit leader, echoed these sentiments in his interview with Sky News, stating, "We don't want to be Americans. No, we don't want to be Danes. We want to be Greenlanders. And we want our own independence in the future. And we want to build our own country by ourselves."
Despite the clear opposition from the Greenlandic people, President Trump remains undeterred. In a post on Truth Social, he wrote, "As I made clear during my Joint Address to Congress, the United States strongly supports the people of Greenland's right to determine their own future. We will continue to KEEP YOU SAFE, as we have since World War II. We are ready to INVEST BILLIONS OF DOLLARS to create new jobs and MAKE YOU RICHAnd, if you so choose, we welcome you to be a part of the Greatest Nation anywhere in the World, the United States of America!"
Usha Vance's visit to Greenland, accompanied by Energy Secretary Chris Wright and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, is scheduled for March 27. Despite the political tension, she maintains that the trip is purely for sightseeing purposes.
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