President Donald Trump has told Norway’s prime minister that his failure to win the Nobel Peace Prize is one reason he is pressing ahead with efforts to acquire Greenland, according to a text message sent over the weekend.
The message, received on Sunday by Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, was confirmed by European officials familiar with the exchange.
“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, although it will always be predominant, but can now think about what is good and proper for the United States of America,” Trump wrote, in a message first published by PBS. He also questioned Denmark’s sovereignty over Greenland, adding, “There are no written documents,” and insisting, “The World is not secure unless we have Complete and Total Control of Greenland. Thank you!”
Greenland has been part of the Danish Kingdom for more than 300 years, and Trump’s renewed push has drawn condemnation from world leaders, particularly as Denmark has firmly rejected selling the territory.
Støre said Trump’s text was sent in response to his own request for talks on the Greenland crisis and Trump’s threat to impose tariffs to pressure Denmark.
“As regards the Nobel Peace Prize, I have on several occasions clearly explained to Trump what is well known, namely that it is an independent Nobel Committee, and not the Norwegian government, that awards the prize,” Støre said.
Despite Trump’s claims, longstanding agreements signed by the United States explicitly recognise Greenland as part of the Danish Kingdom, underscoring the diplomatic sensitivity of the dispute.