An anti-MAGA Hat made by a Greenlandic creator that reads: “Make America Go Away” has gone viral as Usha Vance‘s visit to the island approaches.
Aannguaq Reimer-Johansen, the creator of the anti-MAGA hats, has said he believes her visit is a “charm offensive,” and that he wants people in Greenland to show that they do not want the U.S. to take over their nation.
Reimer-Johansen has been contacted for comment via Facebook.
Why It Matters
The Trump Administration has made several threats towards Greenland, which is an independently run Danish territory, arguing that the U.S. controlling mineral-rich Greenland would be “good for national security.”
But Greenland’s elections on March 11 were won by the island’s center-right Demokraatit party, which campaigned on gradual independence from Denmark and a refusal to join the U.S. After being elected Demokraatit leader Jens-Friederik Nielsen, told Sky News: “We don’t want to be Americans.”
A protest in front of U.S. consulate in Nuuk, Greenland, Saturday March 15, 2025.. A protest in front of U.S. consulate in Nuuk, Greenland, Saturday March 15, 2025.. Christian Klindt Soelbeck/Ritzau Scanpix via AP
What To Know
Second lady Usha Vance has announced she will be traveling to Greenland on March 27 as part of a delegation to visit historical sights and attend Greenland’s national dogsled race. This announcement came after her husband, JD Vance, said the U.S. may need to “take more territorial interest in Greenland.”
The anti-MAGA hats went viral after being reposted on X (formerly Twitter) by Greenland photographer Orla Joelson. The post, which is an image of the hat alongside Reimer-Johansen’s comment about the charm offensive, has been liked over 26,000 times.
The issue of U.S. control over Greenland has come to the forefront since President Donald Trump said during his joint address to Congress that he wants to take over the island “one way or another.” Since taking office, as he has also said repeatedly that he wants to make Canada the “51st state,” and that he wants control of the Panama Canal.
Before Trump’s threats, Greenlandic policy was moving towards trying to remove themselves from Danish control—currently, the EU nation controls their monetary, security, and foreign policy.
The majority of Greenlandic people are indigenous Inuits. The majority appear to be rejecting Trump’s notion to take over their autonomous territory, as most parties in the recent election were pro-independence.
A demonstration in front of the U.S. Consulate, Nuuk, Greenland, Saturday March 15, 2025. A demonstration in front of the U.S. Consulate, Nuuk, Greenland, Saturday March 15, 2025. Christian Klindt Soelbeck/Ritzau Scanpix via AP
What People Are Saying
Aannguaq Reimer-Johansen said on Facebook: “Recommendation to fellow citizens in Sisimiut: Vance’s wife’s visit is a charm offensive. 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 demonstration—let’s remain firm and stay united.”
Demokraatit leader Jens-Friederik Nielsen told Sky News: “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.”
Donald Trump on Truth Social: “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 RICH—And, if you so choose, we welcome you to be a part of the Greatest Nation anywhere in the World, the United States of America!”
What Happens Next
Usha Vance is set to visit the mineral-rich island alongside Energy Secretary Chris Wright and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, in what she has said will be a sightseeing trip on March 27.
