Daniel Perez – News Editor — Former field producer and on‑air correspondent covering U.S.
Donald Trump Attacks Norway Over Nobel Peace Prize Snub
US President Donald Trump called Norway a “shithouse country” during a Michigan campaign rally on Sunday, October 26, 2025, repeating his long-standing grievances over being passed over for the Nobel Peace Prize. Independent Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont responded to the remarks on X by defending Norway as a prosperous democracy and calling the US president “mentally unstable.” Espen Barth Eide countered Trump’s assertions by reminding the public that the Nobel Committee operates entirely independently of Norwegian authorities.
Norway is one of the most democratic and prosperous countries on Earth.Free health careFree collegeStrong democracyFree pressTrump says “Norway sucks” and is a “shithouse country” because it won’t give him the Nobel Prize.Insane. We have a mentally unbalanced president. https://t.co/UUb4BFx1FU
The remarks delivered by Donald Trump at the weekend event included specific declarations that Norway sucks
and that Norway has become a shithouse country,
statements that drew laughter and cheers from his supporters in the crowd. Prior to berating Norway over the Nobel Peace Prize, the US president discussed immigration to the United States. During the speech, Trump also asserted that he had ended eight wars and claimed that We should get a Nobel prize for every war.
Furthermore, Trump labeled the decision to award the prize earlier in October as an indelible stain on Norway and on the people who took this shameful and embarrassing decision.
The Nobel Peace Prize for the current year was awarded to Navi Pillay, while the previous year’s prize went to María Corina Machado. Following the recent attacks, Navi Pillay stated, I condemn Trump’s remarks against Norway and believe that other countries in the world will follow.
I think the world is laughing at him.
Meanwhile, political commentator Eirik Løkke noted that a day prior to his outburst, the US president had expressed a desire to welcome more immigrants from Norway, Sweden, and Denmark rather than from impoverished nations, before his anger resurfaced over the peace prize not being given to him.
Bernie Sanders Defends Norwegian Institutions on X
Senator Bernie Sanders issued a direct rebuke to Donald Trump on social media, defending Norway’s political and social systems. Sanders stated that Norway ranks among the most democratic and prosperous nations globally, highlighting its robust healthcare services, free higher education, and free press. The Vermont senator argued that Trump’s verbal attacks stem from the fact that the country will not give him the Nobel Peace Prize. Sanders concluded his post by labeling the president’s statements as “Galskap” (madness) and calling him “mentally unstable.”
Espen Barth Eide Clarifies Nobel Committee Independence
Espen Barth Eide addressed the presidential statements directly, emphasizing the clear separation between the Norwegian government and the prize committee. Eide stated that the US president knows very well that the Nobel Committee is independent, noting that officials have reiterated this fact. The diplomatic response comes as bilateral tensions persist over ongoing trade friction, including a 12.5 percent US tariff on Norwegian goods enacted earlier in the year.
Andreas Kravik traveled to the United States in August to meet with American officials in an effort to secure reduced tariff rates on Norwegian goods, though a comprehensive trade agreement remains pending. Despite these disagreements, the United States and Norway continue to maintain their alliance.
Hilmar Mjelde and Eirik Løkke Analyze US Political Strategy
Political scientist and US expert Hilmar Mjelde attributes Donald Trump’s repeated fixation on Norway and the Nobel Peace Prize to psychological competition with former Barack Obama. Mjelde noted that Trump appears driven by a desire to surpass Obama, who received the peace prize. Meanwhile, US expert and adviser Eirik Løkke in Civita pointed out that the rhetoric coincides with low approval ratings for Trump ahead of the midterm election on November 3, suggesting the attacks serve as a strategy to mobilize core voters.
Hilmar Mjelde noted that Donald Trump enters the upcoming vote with historically low approval ratings, driven largely by public frustration over rising living costs and inflation. Despite this unpopularity, Mjelde observed that Trump retains a vital role for the Republican Party by executing a strategy focused on energizing his core supporters—voters who typically participate less frequently in US elections—a mobilization tactic he has successfully deployed in past electoral campaigns.
Frequently Asked Questions About Trump and Bilateral Relations
Who won the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize?
The Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Navi Pillay for her work as a judge in South Africa, at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, and at the International Criminal Court.
What specific tariffs affect US-Norway trade relations?
The United States implemented a 12.5 percent tariff on Norwegian goods earlier in the year, which exceeds the 10 percent tariff applied to imports from the European Union.
When is the upcoming US midterm election?
The United States midterm elections are scheduled for November 3, 2025.
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