Former President Donald Trump has drawn a sharp rebuke from Norway after publicly disparaging the country as a "s***house" and expressing a desire to restrict Norwegian immigration to the United States. The remarks, made during a rally in Port Huron, Michigan, were linked by observers to Trump's frustration over not being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. He had previously described the prize awarded to South African human rights lawyer Navanethem Pillay as an "indelible stain on the country of Norway."
Norwegian officials emphasized the autonomy of the Nobel Committee. "He knows very well that the Nobel committee is independent," Espen Barth Eide, the Norwegian foreign minister, told the country's public broadcaster NRK. He suggested Trump's comments were campaign rhetoric, noting that "Trump is currently in the midst of an election campaign that perhaps isn't going very well for his party, and that leads him to say a lot of things." Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store was reportedly occupied with discussions regarding peace negotiations with Ukraine.
Trump's criticism also contradicts his past statements. In 2018, he reportedly questioned why the U.S. accepted fewer immigrants from countries like Norway, which he deemed "nice," compared to nations he referred to as "s***hole countries."
Norwegians have responded by highlighting their nation's high quality of life and economic prosperity. Norway ranks highly in metrics such as life expectancy, GDP per capita, press freedom, and happiness. In contrast to Trump's assertion about immigration, data from the Oslo government indicates that more Americans emigrated to Norway in 2025 than Norwegians moved to the United States. Social media has seen a surge of posts from Norwegians detailing aspects of their lives, including universal healthcare, subsidized childcare, and accessible higher education, often contrasting these with conditions in the U.S.
Some have used humor and historical references to counter Trump's claims. A popular AI-generated video depicted a Norwegian naval officer politely explaining the Nobel Committee's independence while labeling Trump a "toddler throwing a tantrum." Others pointed to Norway's low murder rates and homelessness compared to the U.S., and even showcased its architect-designed public restrooms as examples of the country's standards.
Trump's fixation on the Nobel Peace Prize is well-documented, with insiders suggesting he views it as a crucial element of his historical legacy. Previous U.S. presidents, including Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, and Barack Obama, have received the award. Last year, although the physical Nobel Peace Prize medal was presented to Trump by Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, the Nobel Committee clarified that this did not constitute an official award. Following this, Trump reportedly informed the Norwegian Prime Minister that he no longer felt obligated to prioritize peace and renewed his demand for control over Greenland.
Norwegians have previously made a cultural impact in the U.S., notably during the soccer World Cup with their "Viking Row" ritual, which was subsequently emulated by American fans, further undermining Trump's negative portrayal of the country.