Fact Check: Did King Harald of Norway ditch Trump to meet Barack Obama?
WASHINGTON, DC: Former president Barack Obama met with Norway’s King Harald V earlier this month, sparking rumors that the monarch had snubbed President Donald Trump in the process.
The rumor mill kicked into overdrive across X, Reddit, Instagram, and even YouTube.
Claim: King Harald of Norway ditched Donald Trump to meet Barack Obama
A viral Instagram post declared, “Ironic, isn’t it? Trump reportedly wanted to meet King Harald after his Oval Office meeting — but Norway rolled out the red carpet for Obama instead.”
"After President Donald Trump met with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre in a recent Oval Office visit, sources say Trump expressed interest in meeting King Harald V of Norway. That meeting never materialized. Instead, it was Barack Obama who received a warm royal welcome in Oslo," it claimed.
The post highlighted Obama’s full royal itinerary, which included a cozy gathering at the royal family's Bygdø estate, hanging with the king, Prime Minister Jonas Store, and Crown Princess Mette-Marit.
"On his visit to Norway, Obama met with King Harald, Prime Minister Støre, and Crown Princess Mette-Marit at the royal family's Bygdø estate. The informal gathering focused on climate, democracy, and transatlantic cooperation — themes Obama continues to champion on the global stage. The contrast couldn't be clearer. While Trump's interest in a royal handshake was quietly shelved, Obama was invited without having to ask," the post further added.
Fact Check: False, King Harald of Norway did not ditch Donald Trump to meet Barack Obama
It is true that Barack Obama met King Harald and that Donald Trump had expressed interest in doing the same. But the latter didn't get a royal cold shoulder, not in the least.
Last month, Trump was seated next to Norwegian Prime Minister Støre in the White House when a reporter popped the question, "Why did you invite Norway so soon to the White House?"
"Because I like them," Trump said. "And I like your prime minister. And I like the way your government runs. And I respect the king. He's highly respected in Norway. It's a great thing. Not an easy thing to do. He's done a great job. Yeah."
"Would you like an invitation to visit the king?" the journalist followed up.
"Absolutely. You get me that invitation," Trump responded, to which Støre added, "I just told the president, he's welcome to visit Norway."
So yes, the invite was extended, and Trump said he was ready. However, there’s no evidence that a royal audience was ever scheduled or even officially requested.
Snopes confirmed that it did not have evidence at this time that Trump formally requested an audience with the king.
Barack Obama was already in Oslo, and Donald Trump was busy in the Middle East
Barack Obama landed in Norway for a speaking engagement on May 12 at the Oslo Spektrum arena. It wasn’t some last-minute detour to scoop Donald Trump’s handshake.
The next day, on May 13, Obama met with King Harald and Crown Princess Mette-Marit, alongside Prime Minister Støre. Photos from the Norwegian Royal House’s official Instagram account showed Obama in a relaxed royal setting.
“The King and the Crown Princess received former US President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre at Bygdø Kongsgård," the caption read. "The former US President is visiting Norway in connection with a lecture. Obama received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2009.”
But while Obama was clinking teacups with Norway’s royal family, Trump was on an official tour of the Middle East from May 13 to 16.
Snopes reached out to the White House, the Norwegian Prime Minister’s office, and King Harald’s office. None of them confirmed at this time that a Trump–King Harald meeting was planned.
