US President Donald Trump has sparked fresh controversy after reportedly calling Norway a “shithole country” and saying Norwegian immigrants were not welcome in the United States. His remarks came during a political rally in Michigan, where he linked his frustration over not receiving the Nobel Peace Prize to his comments about immigration.
Trump made the statements at a rally in Port Huron on Sunday, ahead of the upcoming US midterm elections. While discussing immigration and unrest in France, the president said he would welcome immigrants from certain countries but singled out Norway as a country whose citizens he did not want entering the United States.
The remarks appeared to connect his criticism of Norway with the decision not to award him the Nobel Peace Prize. However, there was no indication that the Trump administration had introduced any new official restrictions on Norwegian immigrants.
The comments have added another diplomatic controversy involving the US president and a European country, drawing attention to his repeated criticism of nations whose policies or institutions he has publicly challenged.
Trump Links Norway Immigration Remarks to Nobel Peace Prize
During his speech, Trump expressed frustration over the Nobel Peace Prize decision and suggested that Norway’s standing had changed in his view because he had not received the award.
“Norway has become a shit house country, actually,” Trump said, using a derogatory expression he has previously directed at other countries.
He also stated that he did not want immigrants from Norway because he had not been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
The Nobel Peace Prize is awarded by the Norwegian Nobel Committee, an independent body based in Oslo. Although the committee operates in Norway, its decisions are not made by the Norwegian government.
Trump has repeatedly expressed dissatisfaction with not receiving the award, which recognizes individuals and organizations for contributions to peace. Earlier this month, he reportedly described the decision not to award him the prize as an “indelible stain” on Norway.
His latest remarks have again brought attention to the distinction between the independent Nobel Committee and the Norwegian government.
There has been no announced change in US immigration policy specifically targeting Norwegian nationals in response to the president’s comments.
Norway Responds to Trump’s Criticism
Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide responded to the controversy by emphasizing the independence of the Nobel Committee.
Speaking to Norway’s public broadcaster NRK on Monday, Eide said the committee operated independently and that the Norwegian government had made that distinction clear.
“He knows very well that the Nobel Committee is independent,” Eide said, adding that the ministry had reminded those concerned of that fact.
Norway’s Foreign Ministry declined to provide further comment on the matter.
The response underscored the institutional separation between Norway’s government and the organization responsible for selecting Nobel Peace Prize recipients. The committee’s decisions are not made by Norwegian ministers, meaning the government does not determine who receives the award.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee had not immediately responded to requests for comment, according to the supplied report.
The episode highlights how disagreements over international awards can become intertwined with diplomatic relations and political rhetoric, particularly when public figures direct criticism at countries associated with independent institutions.
Norway’s Wealth and Economic Standing Draw Attention
Trump’s description of Norway contrasts with the country’s economic position. Norway is among the world’s high-income economies, with a substantial public investment fund built largely on revenues from its petroleum sector.
International Monetary Fund data places Norway among countries with high gross domestic product per capita, a measure commonly used to compare economic output relative to population.
Norway’s sovereign wealth fund, which invests the country’s oil and gas revenues in international financial markets, also reported a record profit of 1.75 trillion Norwegian kroner, equivalent to approximately $184.3 billion, for the first half of 2026, according to the supplied material.
The fund plays an important role in managing national wealth for current and future generations. Its investments span international stocks, bonds, real estate and other assets.
These economic indicators provide context for Norway’s international standing, although the country’s wealth does not directly address the political disagreement between Trump and Norwegian officials.
The dispute instead centers on the president’s comments about immigration and his dissatisfaction with the Nobel Peace Prize decision.
Trump Has Previously Used Similar Language About Other Countries
Trump’s latest remarks follow a history of using derogatory language when discussing certain countries and immigration issues.
The supplied report notes that he has previously used similar terminology in reference to Haiti, Libya, Somalia and Yemen.
His comments about Norway also came amid broader criticism of immigration in Europe, with Trump attributing unrest in France to immigration and arguing that governments should take stronger measures to control their borders.
The claims have placed immigration policy and the treatment of migrants at the center of another political dispute involving the United States and Europe.
Norwegian officials have not announced any policy changes in response to Trump’s remarks, and the comments themselves do not establish a change in US immigration rules.
As the controversy continues, the central issue remains the distinction between Trump’s personal criticism of Norway, the independence of the Nobel Peace Prize selection process and the official policies governing relations between the two countries.