Red baseball caps emblazoned with "Make America Go Away," a parody of former President Donald Trump's "Make America Great Again" slogan, have emerged as a symbol of protest in Denmark and Greenland following Trump's interest in purchasing the autonomous Danish territory. The caps have gained traction at public demonstrations and on social media platforms, reflecting opposition to the prospect of U.S. acquisition of Greenland.
The hats, created by Jesper Rabe Tonnesen, a vintage clothing store owner in Copenhagen, initially saw limited sales last year. However, interest surged following the Trump administration's renewed focus on Greenland. "When a delegation from America went up to Greenland, we started to realize this probably wasn't going away," Tonnesen said.
The emergence of the caps coincides with heightened geopolitical interest in the Arctic region. European governments have expressed support for Denmark, emphasizing the importance of defending Arctic territories and cautioning against actions that could undermine Western security. The specific policy details of any potential U.S. acquisition of Greenland were never formally presented, but the idea sparked debate about sovereignty and regional stability.
Protests against the potential acquisition have taken place in Copenhagen and elsewhere. Lars Hermansen, a 76-year-old Copenhagen resident, wore one of the "Make America Go Away" caps at a recent demonstration. "I want to show my support to Greenland and also show that I don't like the president of the United States," Hermansen said.
The incident occurred in August 2019 when reports surfaced that then-President Trump had discussed the possibility of the U.S. buying Greenland. The Danish government firmly rejected the idea, and the U.S. ultimately did not pursue the matter. The episode, however, underscored the strategic importance of Greenland, given its location and natural resources, and sparked a broader conversation about Arctic security and international relations. The current status is that Greenland remains an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark.
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