Trump Says Nobel Snub Freed Him From Obligation to ‘Think of Peace’

United States President Donald Trump told the prime minister of Norway that he no longer feels the need to “think purely of peace” regarding his pursuit of Greenland because he was not awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

In a message sent to Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre on Sunday, the U.S. president linked his demands to seize control of the semi-autonomous Danish territory to his frustration over the award. Støre confirmed the authenticity of the correspondence to the Norwegian newspaper VG on Monday.

“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. He added that he is now free to “think about what is good and proper” for the United States.

Trump says the world is not secure unless the US controls Greenland

The president asserted that the world is “not secure unless we have complete and total control of Greenland.” The U.S. claims the resource-rich Arctic island is necessary for national security, specifically for early warning systems against missile attacks and for monitoring vessels in the region.

Trump has threatened to impose a 10% tariff on imports from eight NATO allies, including Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Finland, beginning Feb. 1 until the U.S. is allowed to purchase the island. He indicated the tariffs could rise to 25% by June.

President Trump letter to Norway Prime Minister links Nobel Prize to Greenland, reiterates threats; shared with European ambassadors in Washington. – PBS' Nick Schifrin pic.twitter.com/GAHr019PfK

— NewsWire (@NewsWire_US) January 19, 2026

In the letter, Trump questioned Denmark’s claim to Greenland, writing that “there are no written documents; it’s only that a boat landed there hundreds of years ago.” He argued that Denmark cannot protect the island from Russia or China and suggested that because he has “done more for NATO than any other person since its founding,” the alliance should now “do something for the United States.”

The Nobel Peace Prize is awarded by an independent committee, not by Norway

Støre stated that the message came in response to a text he and Finnish President Alexander Stubb sent to Trump opposing the proposed tariffs and calling for de-escalation. The Norwegian prime minister noted he had explained to Trump that the prize is awarded by an independent committee, not the government.

The Nobel Peace Prize was awarded last year to Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado. As tensions over Greenland and political instability in Venezuela ensue, she met with Trump at the White House last week and gave him her medal, though the Nobel Foundation has stated the award cannot be passed on. Tensions have escalated following the president’s refusal to rule out the use of military force against a NATO ally to seize the island. Several European states have reportedly sent military personnel to Greenland on a reconnaissance mission.

United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the use of tariffs against allies “wrong” and said the future of the island belongs to the people of Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark alone. Danish and Greenlandic officials were scheduled to meet on Monday with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte to discuss the crisis.