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Trump’s Message to Norwegian PM Links Nobel Prize Rejection to Greenland Claims
Former President Donald Trump sent a text message to Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre suggesting he wants “Complete and Total Control of Greenland” after not receiving the Nobel Peace Prize, according to official confirmation from the Norwegian government.
The exchange, which took place on January 18, 2026, was first reported by PBS correspondent Nick Schifrin, who published the content of Trump’s message on social media platform X. The Norwegian Prime Minister’s office subsequently verified the authenticity of the exchange on January 19, releasing a statement on Norway’s official government website.
According to the transcript provided to journalists by the Prime Minister’s office, the exchange began when Støre and Finnish President Alexander Stubb jointly messaged Trump at 3:48 p.m., expressing concern over Trump’s recently announced tariff increases against their countries.
“Dear Mr. President, dear Donald,” the message from Støre and Stubb read. “You know our position on these issues. But we believe we all should work to take this down and de-escalate – so much is happening around us where we need to stand together.” The Nordic leaders proposed a call with Trump later that day.
Trump’s response, sent at 4:15 p.m., took a markedly different tone. “Considering your Country decided not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize for having stopped 8 Wars PLUS, I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of Peace,” Trump wrote, pivoting to claims about Greenland, which is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark.
In the message, Trump questioned Denmark’s right to Greenland, claiming “There are no written documents, it’s only that a boat landed there hundreds of years ago, but we had boats landing there, also.” He concluded by stating, “The World is not secure unless we have Complete and Total Control of Greenland.”
This is not the first time Trump has expressed interest in acquiring Greenland. During his first administration, reports emerged in 2019 that he had discussed purchasing the island territory from Denmark, an idea that Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen dismissed as “absurd” at the time.
Greenland holds significant strategic value due to its location in the Arctic region, which has become increasingly important geopolitically as climate change opens new shipping routes and makes previously inaccessible natural resources potentially available for extraction. The U.S. already maintains Thule Air Base in northwestern Greenland, its northernmost military installation.
The Norwegian Prime Minister confirmed in his statement that it was Trump’s decision to share the message with other NATO leaders. “It came in response to a short text message from me to President Trump sent earlier on the same day, on behalf of myself and the President of Finland Alexander Stubb,” Støre explained.
The Nobel Peace Prize, which is awarded by a committee appointed by the Norwegian Parliament, has been a point of contention for Trump in the past. He has repeatedly suggested he deserved the prestigious award for his diplomatic efforts, including his administration’s work on the Abraham Accords in the Middle East and engagement with North Korea.
The exchange comes at a time of heightened tension between the United States and some of its traditional European allies over trade policies and defense spending commitments within NATO.
Neither Denmark nor the United States has issued official statements regarding Trump’s renewed interest in Greenland as of press time. The situation continues to develop as European diplomats assess the implications of Trump’s message for transatlantic relations and regional security in the Arctic.
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6 Comments
Interesting development in the ongoing saga between Trump and the Nordic countries. Seems like the former president still harbors resentment over the Nobel snub and is trying to assert control over Greenland. I’m curious to hear the Norwegian PM’s perspective on this exchange.
The timing of this message, after the tariff increases, suggests Trump may be using Greenland as leverage. It will be important to see how Norway and Finland respond to maintain regional stability.
This is a concerning escalation of tensions between the US and its Nordic allies. Trump’s apparent dismissal of the need for peace and his demands for control over Greenland are quite troubling. I hope cooler heads can prevail and de-escalate the situation.
The Norwegian government’s transparency in verifying this exchange is commendable. It will be crucial for them to coordinate closely with other Nordic nations to present a united front against any attempts to undermine regional stability.
While Trump’s behavior is not surprising, his blatant disregard for diplomatic norms and international cooperation is deeply concerning. The potential implications for energy and mining interests in the Arctic region are worrying. I hope the Nordic leaders can find a way to navigate this delicate situation.
The control of Greenland has major strategic and economic implications, especially for resource extraction. It will be critical for the international community to closely monitor this developing situation and ensure a peaceful resolution.