Iceland Protests Trump's Nominee Over '52nd State' Joke
Iceland reacted angrily after President Trump's ambassador nominee, Billy Long, joked Iceland should be the 52nd U.S. state, prompting petitions, diplomatic inquiries and widespread criticism.
Overview
Donald Trump's nominee to be U.S. ambassador to Iceland, former Rep. Billy Long, reportedly joked that Iceland should become the 52nd U.S. state, sparking immediate backlash.
Iceland's Foreign Ministry contacted the U.S. embassy to verify the remark; thousands quickly signed a petition urging Foreign Minister Katrín Gunnarsdóttir to reject Long.
Long apologized in an interview with Arctic Today, saying the comment was a jest among friends referencing Jeff Landry and expressing regret for any offense.
The comment comes amid tensions over Greenland after past U.S. talk of acquiring the territory, amplifying concerns about perceived U.S. disrespect for small-state sovereignty.
Icelandic MPs and officials called the joke serious given security and location sensitivities, warning it could affect Iceland's approach to strategic relations with the United States.
Analysis
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Sources (3)
FAQ
Billy Long joked on the House floor that Iceland would become the 52nd U.S. state and he would be its governor, in response to a jest about Jeff Landry becoming governor of Greenland.
Iceland's Foreign Ministry contacted the U.S. embassy for clarification, and a petition urging rejection of Long as ambassador gathered over 2,500 signatures.
Yes, Long apologized to Arctic Today, stating it was a jest among friends, expressing regret for any offense, and affirming it was not serious.
Billy Long has been nominated by Trump as U.S. ambassador to Iceland but has not yet been confirmed by the U.S. Senate.
The comment echoes U.S. tensions over acquiring Greenland, raising concerns about disrespect to Iceland's sovereignty amid strategic security sensitivities.
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