Iceland the ’52nd state’? U.S. ambassador nominee’s comment sparks alarm
Global News
Billy Long's reported comment came amid Trump's rhetoric about a U.S. takeover of Iceland's neighbour Greenland, as well as his past quips about making Canada the '51st state.'
The government of Iceland says it is demanding answers from the United States after U.S. President Donald Trump’s nominee for ambassador to Iceland, Billy Long, reportedly joked about the European nation becoming the “52nd state.”
Politico reported Wednesday that Long, a former Republican congressman and a staunch Trump ally, was heard joking to U.S. House members in the chamber Tuesday night “that Iceland will be the 52nd state and he’ll be governor.”
The comment has sparked alarm amid Trump’s rhetoric about a U.S. takeover of Iceland’s neighbour Greenland, as well as his past quips about making Canada the “51st state.”
A spokesperson for Iceland’s foreign ministry told Global News it was investigating the matter.
“The Ministry for Foreign Affairs contacted the U.S. Embassy in Iceland to verify the veracity of the alleged comments,” Ægir Þór Eysteinsson said in an email.
Long apologized for the comments in an interview with Arctic Today, explaining they were made in response to a joke about Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry, Trump’s special envoy to Greenland, becoming governor of the territory after it becomes part of the U.S.
A Republican bill introduced in Congress this week would not only authorize Trump to annex or acquire Greenland, but also fast-track the process of granting the territory statehood.
“There was nothing serious about that, I was with some people, who I hadn’t met for three years, and they were kidding about Jeff Landry being governor of Greenland and they started joking about me and if anyone took offense to it, then I apologize,” Long said.
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