President Donald Trump denied caring about the Nobel Peace Prize during a late-night exchange with reporters, contradicting a letter he sent to Norway’s prime minister in which he cited the award as justification for his aggressive stance on Greenland. The Norwegian government confirmed the authenticity of Trump’s message to Jonas Gahr Støre, which was released Monday under Norway’s freedom of information laws.
When asked about the letter during a gaggle with reporters, Trump said he doesn’t care about the Nobel Prize. The president’s written message to Støre told a different story, stating he no longer feels an obligation to think purely of peace after Norway failed to award him the prize.
“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 to the Norwegian leader, according to the full exchange released by Norway’s government.
The message concluded by declaring “the World is not secure unless we have Complete and Total Control of Greenland”. Trump also questioned Denmark’s right of ownership over the Arctic territory, claiming no written documents establish that right and arguing that Denmark cannot protect Greenland from Russia or China.
Støre sent the initial text message on behalf of himself and Finnish President Alexander Stubb. The Norwegian and Finnish leaders proposed a call with Trump to discuss Greenland and tariff announcements, urging de-escalation on issues where allies need to stand together.
The Norwegian prime minister said Monday that Norway fully supports Denmark on Greenland and explained that an independent committee awards the prize, not the Norwegian government. The Norwegian Nobel Committee consists of five members appointed by the Norwegian Parliament.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent defended the president’s approach during a session in Davos, Switzerland, though he said he did not know anything about the president’s letter to Norway.
Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado won the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize and presented her medal to Trump at the White House on January 15. Machado felt Trump deserved the award. The Nobel Committee said the prize cannot be revoked or transferred to others, even symbolically.
Trump claimed during the late-night gaggle that Norway controls the Nobel Prize, contradicting the committee’s independent status. He also said he saved tens of millions of lives and stopped eight wars, referencing conflicts between Cambodia and Thailand, Kosovo and Serbia, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda, Pakistan and India, Israel and Iran, Egypt and Ethiopia, and Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Eight European nations issued a joint statement in response to Trump’s threats against Greenland. Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and Britain said tariff threats “undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral.” The countries committed to strengthening Arctic security as a shared transatlantic interest.
Trump announced Saturday a 10 percent import tax starting February 1 on goods from the eight nations that rallied around Denmark and Greenland. The duties would increase to 25 percent if a deal is not reached by June 1. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said Monday that officials can’t rule anything out until Trump does.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer sought to de-escalate tensions, saying the Arctic region “will require greater attention, greater investment and stronger collective defense” and said he does not believe military action would occur.
European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the bloc had no interest to pick a fight but would hold its ground. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and other alliance officials have been monitoring the situation.
Thousands marched in Greenland in protest against Trump’s threats. Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said they will not be pressured. The self-governing territory remains part of the Kingdom of Denmark.
European troops have deployed to Greenland as allies assess security needs in the region. Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson is among officials evaluating options for a permanent military presence.
Trump claimed he did more for NATO than any other person since its founding and said NATO should now do something for the United States. The president attended a college football championship game in Miami before the text exchange with Støre occurred.
The exchange between Trump and the Norwegian leader occurred Sunday, with Støre’s message sent on behalf of himself and Finnish President Alexander Stubb. The full text became public Monday after Norway released it under the country’s freedom of information laws.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the authenticity of Trump’s message, saying the president is confident Greenlanders would be better served if protected by the United States from modern threats in the Arctic region.
The controversy has drawn attention to Trump’s claims about preventing wars and deserving international recognition for his foreign policy achievements. The president has openly coveted the Nobel Peace Prize throughout his political career.