We get it, “Make Autocratic Grifters Ashamed” would look a little too wordy on a hat.
Over the weekend, a man who lives in Sisimiut, Greenland, named Aannguaq Reimer-Johansen posted an image to Facebook of a red hat featuring the words, “Make America Go Away.” The simple statement is a clever play on President Donald Trump’s infamous slogan, which has been adorned on red hats for years: “Make America Great Again.”
The image was clearly in response Trump’s autocratic desire to annex the autonomous Danish territory and claim it for the U.S. “one way or the other.” And though leaders in Greenland and Denmark have said that’s not happening, U.S. presence in the island will continue with a trip by second lady Usha Vance this week.
Although Vance has downplayed her visit as an innocent trip to watch a dog sled race and “celebrate the long history of mutual respect and cooperation” between the United States and Greenland, people are more than a little skeptical of her motives.
Vance’s visit to Greenland will follow another one by national security adviser Mike Waltz and U.S. energy secretary Chris Wright that will occur earlier in the week.
In the caption of the Facebook post, Reimer-Johansen called Vance’s visit a “charm offensive” and urged fellow Greenlanders not to be swayed by her presence, according to a translation posted by a fellow Greenlander named Orla Joelsen on X, formerly Twitter.
“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,” Reimer-Johansen wrote, according to Joelsen’s translation on X. “It is recommended not to show interest. We have already expressed our stance through a large demonstration—let’s remain firm and stay united.”
Reimer-Johansen’s sentiments about Vance’s visit echo those of other Greenlanders.
Greenland’s outgoing Prime Minister Múte Bourup Egede recently spoke out about the visits, calling them “highly aggressive,” and took issue with Waltz waltzing around the Nordic region.
“What is the national security adviser doing in Greenland? The only purpose is to demonstrate power over us,” Egede said.
He added, “His mere presence in Greenland will no doubt fuel American belief in Trump’s mission — and the pressure will increase.”
Over on X, plenty of users empathized with Greenland’s plight and celebrated the “Make America Go Away” hat, with many asking where they could buy it.
“This is a red hat that I could see myself wearing,” one X user said.
“Love it. Good for Greenlanders, standing up to that bully!” another X user wrote.
“Should make a Canadian version with maple leaf on the side. 🇨🇦,” an X user suggested.
“I hear this hat is becoming a Hot item throughout the World!” an X user joked.
“embarrassingly American, but id like to wear this inside america,” an X user said.
