Norway Responds to Trump's 'Sh*thouse Country' Insult With Toilet Tourism Campaign
Norway's tourism board playfully countered President Trump's criticism by highlighting the nation's architecturally designed public restrooms.
Norway has responded to President Donald Trump's recent criticism of the country, which he called a "sh*thouse country," with a dose of playful humor. The nation's tourism board, Visit Norway, launched a campaign showcasing some of the country's most scenic and architecturally acclaimed public restrooms.
Trump's remarks came after he did not receive a Nobel Peace Prize, an award he reportedly desires. At a political rally in Michigan, he stated that he was not in love with Norway and that it had become a "sh*thouse country," a term he has previously used for other nations. He also suggested he would not welcome immigrants from Norway due to not receiving the prize.
In response, Visit Norway's website posed the question, "Are these the world's best sht houses?" and added, "Norway makes sht houses great again!" The tourism board featured a collection of striking designer toilets, many of which offer breathtaking views of Norway's natural landscapes, including fjords, rivers, and waterfalls. These public facilities, located along 18 scenic routes, were designed by leading architects to be attractions in their own right.
Examples of these unique facilities include a wave-shaped toilet in Helgeland, a solar-powered restroom at the Utsikten viewpoint, and the notable triangular "golden toilet" on Senja Island. Visit Norway noted that these toilets are "worth a visit, both when you really have to go – and when you don't."
Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide previously commented on Trump's remarks, emphasizing the independence of the Nobel Committee. He suggested that Trump's comments were part of his campaign rhetoric, noting that the US President's party's electoral performance might be influencing his statements.
Trump has expressed that not being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize was an "indelible stain" on Norway. Washington insiders suggest the President is particularly focused on winning the prize, viewing it as a significant historical recognition. Historically, only Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, and Barack Obama have received the Nobel Peace Prize while serving as US presidents.
Norway, a nation of 5.6 million people, boasts one of the highest incomes per capita globally, significantly boosted by oil and natural gas revenues. Its sovereign wealth fund reported substantial profits in the first half of 2026. Comparative metrics often show Norway outperforming the US in areas such as life expectancy, infant mortality, adult obesity rates, GDP per capita, corruption perceptions, press freedom, and overall happiness.
Furthermore, migration data indicates that more Americans have been emigrating to Norway than Norwegians to the United States in recent years, contradicting any implication of a one-way flow of migration influenced by perceived national quality.