Photo by Art Bicnick

Icelandic President Guðni Th. Jó­hann­es­son, polarised people as much as Donald Trump, when last February, he came out publicly and proposed banning pineapples on pizzas. But now he has offered an olive branch to the proud pineapple people by honouring the memory of Sam “Pineapple” Panopoulos, the first man to put pineapples on a pizza.

A true hero

Panopoulos was a Greek-born Canadian immigrant who in 1962, made the first ever Hawaiian pizza. The invention placed him in the pantheon of history, and we are sure he is currently dining on an 18 inch, thin crusted pepperoni and pineapple glory in the afterlife. Sharing a slice with fellow inventors Thomas Edison, Leonardo da Vinci and Nikola Tesla.

“From what I have read, Sam was a decent man with a good sense of humour,” Guðni wrote on Facebook. “Indirectly you could say we crossed paths after I jokingly (yeah, right) said that this particular topping should be banned.”

Pinapplegate made world headlines, with the global population lining up into two fiercely opposed groups. There were those born without tastebuds who supported the President in his violent crackdown on the best pizza topping. And then there were those brave revolutionaries who took a stand for freedom and everything that is good in this world. Among those was Panopoulos, who the BBC claimed was confused by the President’s hatred.

Forgiven, but not forgotten

Since the scandal, the President has toned down his opprobrious remarks, claiming that his proposed pineapple segregation is against his principles.

“I like pineapple, just not on pizza. But I can’t make laws that make it illegal for people to put pineapples on their pizzas,” Guðni said. “I am happy I don’t have that authority, presidents shouldn’t be tyrants. I wouldn’t want to live in a world where those in my position could ban things they don’t like. But I recommend putting seafood on pizza,” yuck.

Dear President, we, the pineapple people, accept you apology…for now.