Thousands of Danes have signed a petition to buy California from the United States. Their plan? Rename Disneyland as “Hans Christian Andersenland” and give the state a full Danish makeover.
The petition, gaining traction online, calls for “Denmarkification” of the Golden State. Apparently, some Danes think they could do a better job running California than the current leadership. Given California’s issues, they may have a point.
While this is obviously a tongue-in-cheek proposal, it does reflect a broader sentiment. California’s high taxes, rampant homelessness, and political dysfunction make it an easy target for satire. If Denmark really did take over, could things actually get worse?
The petition doesn’t just focus on Disneyland. The idea is to bring Danish values, policies, and culture to California as a whole. Whether that means better infrastructure, lower crime, or an economy that actually works remains unclear.
Of course, this isn’t happening. The U.S. isn’t selling California, and Denmark isn’t exactly rolling in cash to buy it. But the fact that thousands of people are backing the idea says something about the state’s reputation.
If nothing else, it’s a creative way to highlight California’s struggles. And if Disney ever decides to rebrand, well, “Hans Christian Andersenland” does have a certain ring to it.
