Norway fires back after Trump calls country a ‘s—house’ over Nobel Peace Prize snub
OSLO, NORWAY: Norwegian officials have responded after President Donald Trump called Norway a “s---house country” and suggested he no longer wanted Norwegian immigrants in the United States, linking his remarks to his failure to win the Nobel Peace Prize.
Trump made the comments during a rally in Port Huron, Michigan, on Sunday, October 25, while criticizing the selection of the latest Nobel Peace Prize recipient. Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide stressed that the Nobel Committee operates independently of the Norwegian government, pushing back against the connection Trump drew between the award and the country.
Norway responds to Trump's Nobel Peace Prize remarks
During his remarks, Trump expressed frustration over not receiving the Nobel Peace Prize and criticized Norway over the decision.
“I didn’t get the Nobel Prize. So I don’t want anybody from Norway. I don’t want anything to do with Norway,” Trump said.
Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide addressed the comments in an interview with Norwegian public broadcaster NRK on Monday, October 26.
“He knows very well that the Nobel committee is independent,” Eide said. “We have reminded him of that, in case anyone is wondering, and that is still the case.”
The Norwegian Nobel Committee also reiterated its independence in a statement to the New York Times on Monday. The five-member committee is appointed by Norway's Parliament for six-year terms, while members of the government and sitting lawmakers are barred from serving on it.
Trump criticizes Nobel Peace Prize recipient Navi Pillay
Trump's remarks followed the announcement that Navi Pillay, a South African jurist and former United Nations human rights chief, had been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize on October 9. Pillay, 85, was recognized for her work upholding international law.
Trump has repeatedly expressed his desire to receive the award. During Sunday's rally, he questioned why he had not been selected and criticized Pillay, saying she was a woman “nobody had ever heard of.”
In July, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that he believed he deserved the prize more than previous recipients, citing his claims of helping settle international conflicts.
“I would say I should have won that award more than anybody that ever received the Nobel Peace Prize,” Trump said on July 8.
He also argued earlier in October that his efforts involving hostage releases and international conflicts justified recognition.
Trump has repeatedly sought Nobel Peace Prize recognition
Trump's frustration over the award has surfaced repeatedly. In 2025, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu nominated him for the Nobel Peace Prize, but the award went to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado.
In January, Machado presented Trump with her Nobel medal during a visit to the White House, thanking him for what she described as his leadership in promoting peace and defending liberty.
The Nobel Committee subsequently clarified that transferring a medal or diploma does not change the identity of the person recorded as the prize recipient.
Trump's latest comments prompted Norwegian officials to reiterate that the Nobel Peace Prize decision rests with an independent committee rather than the country's government.
