Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Billy Long, the nominated U.S. ambassador to Iceland, has apologized for comments he made about Iceland becoming the 52nd state of the United States, reports Arctic Today.
As reported yesterday, Billy Long joked to U.S. lawmakers that Iceland would become the 52nd state and that he would be its governor. While the U.S. government has nominated Billy Long as ambassador to Iceland, he has not yet been formally appointed to the post.
According to Arctic Today, Billy Long said: “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.”
He added that he had not been aware of reactions in Iceland to his remarks. He also said he was unaware that the Icelandic Ministry for Foreign Affairs had contacted the U.S. Embassy to verify his statements, as reported by RÚV.
In an interview with Arctic Today, Billy Long reiterated that his comments were meant as a joke and should not be taken seriously.
“I apologize and that’s my only comment, I look forward to working with the people of Iceland and I apologize it was taken that way, I was with a group of friends and there was nothing serious about it,” he said.
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Billy Long, the nominated U.S. ambassador to Iceland, has apologized for comments he made about Iceland becoming the 52nd state of the United States, reports Arctic Today.
As reported yesterday, Billy Long joked to U.S. lawmakers that Iceland would become the 52nd state and that he would be its governor. While the U.S. government has nominated Billy Long as ambassador to Iceland, he has not yet been formally appointed to the post.
According to Arctic Today, Billy Long said: “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.”
He added that he had not been aware of reactions in Iceland to his remarks. He also said he was unaware that the Icelandic Ministry for Foreign Affairs had contacted the U.S. Embassy to verify his statements, as reported by RÚV.
In an interview with Arctic Today, Billy Long reiterated that his comments were meant as a joke and should not be taken seriously.
“I apologize and that’s my only comment, I look forward to working with the people of Iceland and I apologize it was taken that way, I was with a group of friends and there was nothing serious about it,” he said.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SHOW SUPPORT
Support the Grapevine's reporting by becoming a member of our High Five Club: https://grapevine.is/high-five-club/
Or make a donation to the Grapevine, we really appreciate it:
https://support.grapevine.is
You can also support the Grapevine by shopping in our online store: https://shop.grapevine.is
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WHO ARE WE?
The Reykjavík Grapevine is an alternative monthly magazine, bringing you all the news and views on Icelandic society, music, travel, culture and more. Grapevine.is #rvkgrapevine
Join our YouTube channel for perks on perks: youtube.com/channel/UCXDn1ItTmeGarenRLOZus9Q/join
