U.S. President Donald Trump made sharp comments about Norway during a political rally in Port Huron, Michigan, on Sunday, following his failure to receive this year’s Nobel Peace Prize. Trump referred to Norway as a “shithouse country” and stated that Norwegian immigrants were not welcome in the United States because the Norwegian-based Nobel Committee did not award him the prize.
Trump, 80, expressed frustration over the committee’s decision and criticized the choice of this year’s recipient, Navi Pillay, a former United Nations human rights chief from South Africa. He described Pillay as a "mystery person" and questioned why the prize was not awarded to him, claiming he had ended eight wars during his presidency. Trump has long sought the Nobel Peace Prize, characterizing the award committee’s decision as an “indelible stain” on Norway and labeling it a “disgraceful and embarrassing” outcome.
During the rally, Trump said he would welcome immigrants from certain countries such as Denmark but explicitly excluded Norway, stating, “I don’t want anybody from Norway.” Despite these remarks, there was no indication from the U.S. government that any official change in immigration policy targeting Norwegian nationals was underway.
The Nobel Committee, which awards the peace prize based on nominations and is composed of five members appointed by Norway’s parliament, operates as an independent body. Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide reiterated this independence in response to Trump’s comments, emphasizing to the media that the committee functions without government interference. Previous Norwegian officials, including Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, have similarly clarified the autonomy of the Nobel Committee.
Pillay, honored for her role in prosecuting war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide, responded to Trump’s criticism with a measure of levity, joking that if applause continued, she might be willing to share the prize with him. She is the first non-white female judge of the High Court of South Africa and was recognized for her significant contributions to international justice.
At the rally, Trump was joined by American rapper Nicki Minaj, who publicly voiced her support for the president. The event also featured several of Trump’s repeated claims about his accomplishments and his desire to obtain the Nobel Peace Prize.
This episode adds to a pattern of contentious interactions between Trump and the Nobel Committee, which has also drawn criticism from the U.S. president following previous awards to figures he opposed, such as Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado. The Nobel Committee has emphasized that once a prize is awarded, it cannot be revoked or transferred.