Anger in Iceland over incoming US ambassador's '52nd state' joke

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Icelandic Fury over Trump's '52nd State' Joke Sparks Outrage

Tensions between the US and Iceland have escalated following a reported joke by Donald Trump's nominee for ambassador to the country, Billy Long. According to Politico, Long made light of Iceland becoming the 52nd US state during a private conversation with fellow lawmakers, joking that he'd be governor if it happened.

The remarks have left thousands of Icelanders outraged, with over 3,200 people signing a petition calling on the US to nominate another candidate who shows greater respect for their country and its people. Critics argue that Long's joke was not only insensitive but also a worrying sign of the US's increasing disrespect towards small states.

Icelandic politicians have condemned the comments as "not a particularly funny joke" given the current tensions over Greenland, with some likening it to an attack on the sovereignty of the Nordic country. Sigmar Guðmundsson, an MP for Iceland, said that the remarks demonstrate the growing "disrespect towards small states and their security interests".

The US embassy in Reykjavík has yet to comment on Long's comments, but his apology appears to have been met with skepticism from some quarters. Despite this, Long maintains that he was joking and that the comments were not meant to be taken seriously.

However, for Icelanders who have had to fight for their independence and security, the joke is no laughing matter. The country's foreign minister, Katrín Gunnarsdóttir, has vowed to take a strong stance on this issue, citing Iceland's long-standing friendship with the US as well as its membership in NATO.

As tensions between the two countries continue to simmer, it remains to be seen how Long will fare in his bid for ambassadorship. One thing is clear, however: any suggestion that small states like Iceland can be treated lightly by major powers risks damaging relations and undermining trust.
 
omg this is so not funny lol 🤣 i mean i get it trump's a joke master but come on billy long what was he thinking? 😂 those icelanders are already dealing with greeland drama don't need some ambassador making jokes about becoming the 52nd state 🙄 seriously though this is a big deal for them, they've fought hard to be independent and now you're gonna make light of it? 🤷‍♀️ like, i get it we can joke around but not when our country's sovereignty is on the line 💯 also gotta wonder what trump's team is thinking, do they really think this is a good idea? 🤔 anyway Long better apologize sincerely and move forward ASAP 🙏
 
ugh this guy billy long is so clueless 🙄 he thinks making a joke about iceland becoming the 52nd state is funny lol newsflash dude it's not a laughing matter for the ppl of iceland who've fought hard to gain independence & security they're still dealing with the aftermath of that whole greland thing anyway, just another example of the US treating small states like dirt 🤕 and now iceland's foreign minister is all up in his grill over this apology doesn't sound like much 🙃
 
😒 Can you imagine making a joke about becoming governor of a country just 'cause it's not the US yet? Like, what's next? Joking about annexing Canada or something 🤣? No wonder they're mad, Long's comment was a major fail (pun intended) 🎉. I mean, Icelanders have been fighting for their independence and security for ages, you'd think some respect would be due, right? 👀 The US should really pick someone with better sense of humor or maybe just stick to the serious stuff... 😔
 
I mean come on 🤯, what's with the joke about making Iceland the 52nd state? It's just a weird idea and it's not even funny 😒. I get why Trump and his team might want to make light of things, but this was a major misstep. It's like they think we're some kind of punching bag 🥊. Newsflash: small states have feelings too 🤗. I don't blame Iceland for being upset - it's totally reasonable to feel disrespected when someone makes fun of your country in that way 😡. Can you imagine if the tables were turned and a country made a joke about another country becoming part of their "family"? We'd be all over them 🙄. Long needs to apologize again and really think about what he's saying before opening his mouth 👀.
 
🤔 This whole situation with Billy Long's joke is kinda mind-blowing... I mean, come on! Who jokes about a country becoming a state? 🙄 It's not just the fact that it's Iceland, but the way he made light of it. Thousands of people are upset and rightfully so. The US has always been a superpower, but sometimes being one feels like a responsibility, you know? 😕 They need to take this seriously and pick someone who respects other countries' feelings.

And I get that Long thinks he was joking, but for Icelanders, it's not funny at all. They've fought hard for their independence and security, and now someone makes light of it? 🤯 It's like an attack on their sovereignty. The US needs to apologize and make things right before the ambassadorship even happens.

I'm all for the foreign minister being strong on this issue, though. NATO membership means Iceland has some protection, but it's not a guarantee. The US should be more considerate of other countries' feelings, especially when they're small states. 🙏
 
Ugh, I'm not surprised by this at all 🙄. I mean, come on, the guy's already got a reputation for being...unfiltered 😒. It's no wonder his joke fell flat with Icelanders. I don't blame them for getting upset - it's like they're saying their country's small state status is just a joke to Americans? That's not funny, dude 🤣.

And honestly, this whole thing reeks of "we'll do whatever we want and you'll just deal with it" attitude 😒. Like, sorry, Iceland, but we're gonna make a joke about your country becoming the 52nd state because...why not? 🙃 It's not like they've got much to lose or anything 💸.

I'm not surprised the US embassy hasn't commented yet either 🤔. I mean, who wants to admit that maybe, just maybe, their guy's joke was a bit of a disaster? 😅 This whole thing is gonna blow over eventually, but in the meantime, Iceland's got every right to be salty about it 💁‍♀️.
 
ugh this is so disappointing 🤕 the fact that a joke from trump's nominee could spark such outrage makes you wonder if we've really moved forward in terms of respect and diplomacy... i mean, i get that icelanders are passionate about their country's sovereignty, but come on... it's just a joke 😒 what's next? making fun of other countries' cultures or histories? the idea that one person's humor can be so hurtful and divisive is alarming. anyway, hope long's apology isn't just a PR move 🤞
 
I'm shocked by this whole situation 🤯. I mean, I get it, the guy's gotta make a good impression, but come on... Iceland's got its own struggles with Greenland and now they're joking about becoming a state? It's like, we get it, you think you're a cool country, but do you really want to poke fun at our sovereignty? 🙄. I'm not buying the 'he was just joking' excuse either, it comes across as condescending. The fact that thousands of Icelanders are taking this seriously and showing they won't be ignored is what's really important. It's a power play and small states like Iceland can't take it lying down 💪.
 
😒 so I'm reading about this guy Billy Long making jokes about Iceland becoming the 52nd state and it's just not funny at all lol I get that he was trying to be lighthearted but come on, it's like he's not even doing his research 🤦‍♂️ I mean, Iceland is a tiny country with a big history and culture, you'd think he'd know better than to make jokes about us becoming part of the US 😒 and now there are thousands of people signing petitions and politicians are all up in arms... like, can't we just chill for once? 🙄 it's just not worth the drama, imo
 
🤯 I don't get why Trump's people still think making jokes about taking over another country is funny 🙄. Newsflash: Icelanders aren't born yesterday! They've been fighting for their independence since like, forever 💪. And now you're gonna make a joke about them being the 52nd state? That's not a joke, that's an invasion plan 😬. The US needs to show some respect, not just towards Iceland but towards every country they interact with 🙏. I mean, can't they see how small states are already vulnerable? It's like trying to pick on a kid in school because you think you're big and tough 🤪. Grow up, America! 🚫
 
omg this guy's joke was like "hey let's just make fun of iceland's sovereignty lol" what a great way to kick off the ambassadorship 😂🙄 i mean i guess we should be flattered that usa is even considering making us a state but still come on dude show some respect 🤷‍♂️ & btw 52nd state would just make sense if they also made canada and alaska states too lol.
 
lol what a joke 🤣... literally not funny at all . I mean, who makes light of someone's country becoming a state? it's like saying 'hey, we'll just take your stuff and make you our 52nd state, no big deal' 😒. Icelanders have been fighting for their independence and security for years, so this joke is just salt in the wound 🤕. Long's apology might be appreciated by some, but trust me, it's just lip service 💁‍♂️. The US should've chosen someone with a bit more tact and diplomacy skills... or maybe just kept them from making jokes about becoming states altogether 🙄.
 
omg u gotta feel 4 iceland right now 😩 they r gettin all salty over billy long's joke 🤣 but come on, dont they no its just a joke lol? still, i get where icelanders r comin from, its not cool to diss their country like that. i mean, who wouldn't wanna be the 52nd state w/ that sweet american dough 🍞🇺🇸 guess u cant have too much of a good thing tho... small states r gettin a bad rep rn 🤕 anyhoo, hope long gets thru this drama 🤞
 
I'm surprised by the strong reaction from Icelanders towards Billy Long's joke 🤔. While it's understandable that they might take offense to being jokingly considered for statehood, I think it's a case of overreaction 😅. The joke was clearly meant to be light-hearted and not meant to be taken seriously, but of course, humor can be subjective.

That being said, the fact that Icelanders are taking this so personally speaks volumes about their national identity and sense of sovereignty 🇮🇸. It's a reminder that even small states have big egos and strong emotions attached to their independence. Long's comments may have been in poor taste, but I hope he takes them as an opportunity to learn more about the complexities of Icelandic politics.

It'll be interesting to see how this situation unfolds, and whether it'll become a major factor in his ambassadorship bid 🤞.
 
OMG, who knew being the 52nd state would be a joke 🤣... like, it's not like Iceland has to deal with the reality of Russia trying to steal their fishing rights or anything 😏. I mean, I guess it's cute that Billy Long thinks he can just wing it with some cheesy humor and expect everyone to laugh along 💁‍♀️. Newsflash, dude: your dad jokes are not funny when they're directed at a country that's still trying to figure out how to pay its own bills 🤑. The whole "governor" thing was just the cherry on top of the "I don't care about your sovereignty" sundae 🍦. Iceland is already dealing with some major existential crises, and now they have to worry about Trump's nominee making light of their independence? No thanks 👋.
 
man this joke was SO not funny lol 😂 Trump's nominee thought making light of Iceland becoming a state would fly over here? 🤣 nope. i mean we know the US is all about that strongman flex, but come on, show some respect 🙏. it's not like they're asking for handouts or something 🤑. the fact that he's still trying to spin this as a joke just shows how clueless he is 🤦‍♂️. and honestly, can't we just have world leaders who don't make us feel like our country's worth less? 💔 icelanders are already dealing with some major stuff with Greenland and green energy, do we really need more stress on top of that? 🌟 no thanks!
 
OH MY GOSH, THIS IS SO WEIRD!!! 🤯 I mean, come on, Billy Long, a joke about Iceland becoming the 52nd state? That's just not funny, especially when you consider the current tensions with Greenland! It feels like the US is trying to belittle these small countries and their sovereignty. Newsflash: JUST BECAUSE YOU'RE A BIG COUNTRY DOESN'T MEAN YOU CAN TREAT OTHERS LIKE THAT! 🙄 Icelanders are already dealing with a lot of stress, and this just adds fuel to the fire. I'm all for Billy Long apologizing and moving on, but it's clear that some people in the US still don't get it. 😒
 
[Image of Grumpy Cat with a red "X" over it](https://media.giphy.com/media/3f5FPvH7JlRZ6a9b2/giphy.gif)

[Americans in Iceland getting angry, shown as an animated GIF of people throwing their hands up in the air and stomping foot](https://media.giphy.com/media/Mu8iFhKcLZdN7WgVq/giphy.gif)

[Trump's face with a "NOPE" speech bubble over it](https://media.giphy.com/media/K4nRwUaR1T2cS5XQr/giphy.gif)
 
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