Norway Tourism Board Responds With Humour After Donald Trump Derides Country Over Nobel Snub

Key Points

• Tourism Board Response: Visit Norway, the national tourism authority, responded to derogatory comments from US President Donald Trump by launching a social media showcase highlighting Norway’s world-renowned scenic restrooms.
• Presidential Invective: During a political rally in Port Huron, Michigan, US President Donald Trump called Norway a “shithouse country” and stated that “Norway sucks”, expressing anger over being bypassed for the Nobel Peace Prize.
• Immigration Restrictions Suggested: President Trump suggested he no longer wanted immigrants from Norway entering the United States, contrasting the country with other Nordic nations like Denmark.
• Diplomatic Response: Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide responded neutrally, reiterating that the Norwegian government has no influence over the decisions of the independent Nobel Committee.
• Nobel Peace Prize Context: The 2026 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to South African human rights defender and former judge Navi Pillay, triggering renewed frustration from Trump, who has claimed credit for resolving international conflicts.

Norway (Norway Post Magazine) October 28, 2026 – Norway’s official tourism agency has responded with light-hearted humour to insulting remarks made by US President Donald Trump, using his vulgar critique of the Nordic nation to promote the country’s famous architectural public toilets. Following a campaign rally in Port Huron, Michigan, where President Trump described Norway as a “shithouse country” after failing to win the Nobel Peace Prize, Visit Norway published a curated image campaign celebrating its most scenic restrooms. While the comments drew condemnation from political commentators internationally, Norwegian diplomats maintained a calm stance, reminding international observers that the Nobel Committee operates entirely independently from the Norwegian state.

What Did President Donald Trump Say About Norway During His Michigan Rally?

The international controversy began during a political campaign event in Port Huron, Michigan, ahead of the upcoming US midterm elections. Addressing a crowd of supporters, President Donald Trump voiced intense frustration over being bypassed for the Nobel Peace Prize, directing his ire at Norway, where the peace prize is awarded by an independent committee in Oslo.

As reported by Agence France-Presse and covered by The Independent, President Donald Trump attacked Norway’s standing and linked his anger directly to the Nobel decision:

“Frankly, Norway sucks. Norway has become a shithouse country, actually,” President Donald Trump stated during the Michigan rally.

Transitioning to the topic of immigration, Trump asserted that while he would welcome arrivals from certain countries, he held a different stance regarding Norwegian citizens.

As reported by Siladitya Ray of Forbes, President Donald Trump stated:

“Denmark? Take ’em. Sweden. Norway, I don’t think so because I didn’t get the Nobel Prize. I don’t want anybody from Norway, I don’t want anything to do with Norway.”

Trump’s frustration was sparked by the announcement of the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize, which was awarded by the Norwegian Nobel Committee to former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and South African judge Navi Pillay. Trump has repeatedly claimed he deserved the accolade for mediating end-of-conflict agreements globally.

How Did Norway’s Tourism Authority Use “Toilet Humour” to Respond to the Remarks?

Rather than issuing an angry diplomatic rebuke, Norway’s national tourism agency, Visit Norway, turned the US President’s vulgar phrasing into a creative promotional campaign.

As reported by Ynetnews, Visit Norway posted a message across its official social media channels, including Facebook, directly addressing the President’s phrasing:

“We heard some noise about the ‘s+++house country’. Well, what we can say, we do have some of the most spectacular toilets in the world. With Love, Visit Norway,” the agency published in its official statement.

The tourism board accompanied the message with a high-resolution photo gallery titled “Meet the world’s most beautiful (s++t h++++s) toilets.” The showcase featured world-famous public restrooms constructed along the Norwegian Scenic Routes, where architectural design meets dramatic natural landscapes.

Among the featured facilities were:

• Ureddplassen Restroom: A wave-shaped, glass-and-concrete architectural installation overlooking the Norwegian Sea and surrounding fjords.
• Skjervsfossen Toilet: A minimalist stone structure located next to a roaring waterfall, featuring floor-to-ceiling glass providing views of the river.
• Flotmyr and Steinsdalsfossen Restrooms: Modern facilities constructed along popular tourist trails designed to blend seamlessly into rugged mountain and forest surroundings.

The Norwegian Public Roads Administration, which oversees the development of these scenic rest stops, has long promoted public facilities as architectural attractions rather than mere utility spaces.

What Was the Official Response From the Norwegian Government?

While the tourism board opted for tongue-in-cheek marketing, official political representatives in Oslo handled the remarks with standard diplomatic protocol.

Speaking to national public broadcaster NRK, Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide addressed President Trump’s accusations that the Norwegian government was responsible for his failure to secure a Nobel Peace Prize.

As reported by Reuters and published by The Tribune, Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide clarified:

“He knows very well that the Nobel Committee is independent. We have reminded him of that, in case anyone is wondering — and that is still the case,” Espen Barth Eide stated.

Norwegian officials confirmed that despite Trump’s rhetorical statements regarding immigration restrictions, no official policy changes regarding Norwegian visas or entry permissions had been received from the US State Department or Department of Homeland Security.

Furthermore, public reactions across Norwegian media reflected mild amusement rather than outrage. In a column published by Norwegian daily Dagbladet, writers noted that Norwegians hold a deep cultural connection to simple outdoor cabins (hytte) and traditional outhouses, making the “shithouse” insult ironically resonant with local heritage.

Background of Trump’s Nobel Peace Prize Grievances and Comments on Norway

President Donald Trump’s fixation on the Nobel Peace Prize dates back to his first presidential term. Over the years, Trump has repeatedly expressed frustration that previous US leaders, including Barack Obama in 2009, received the honor while he was overlooked despite his involvement in international diplomacy.

Ironically, during a 2018 Oval Office meeting regarding US immigration policy, Trump faced criticism for questioning why the United States accepted immigrants from developing nations rather than countries like Norway. However, his stance toward Norway shifted following repeated snubs by the Oslo-based Nobel Committee.

In early 2026, Trump sent a letter to Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre expressing displeasure over missing out on the prize, alleging that the committee’s decision released him from focusing strictly on diplomatic peaceful resolutions. Despite repeated explanations from Norwegian diplomats that the five-member Nobel Committee is appointed by the Norwegian Parliament but operates with complete independence from state influence, Trump has continued to hold the Norwegian government accountable for the outcomes.

How This Rhetoric Will Affect US-Norwegian Relations and Tourism Dynamics

The exchange between President Trump and Norwegian institutions highlights the balance between high-level diplomatic relations and public relations management.

1. Surging Travel Interest and Marketing Success for Visit Norway

Visit Norway’s humorous social media response is expected to generate significant global media engagement, effectively converting a political insult into an international marketing triumph. By drawing attention to Norway’s architectural scenic routes, the campaign will likely boost travel inquiries and eco-tourism bookings from North American and European travelers intrigued by the country’s unique infrastructure.

2. Maintenance of Institutional and Military Cooperation

Despite the sharp campaign rhetoric, formal bilateral relations between the United States and Norway are expected to remain stable. As a core NATO ally situated in a strategically vital Arctic region, Norway maintains deep defense ties, intelligence-sharing frameworks, and joint military exercise commitments with the US military that transcend transient campaign trail statements.

3. Continued Diplomatic Education on Independent Bodies

The persistent confusion regarding the Nobel Peace Prize selection process will prompt Norwegian foreign missions to maintain clear educational communications regarding the independence of the Nobel Committee. Norwegian diplomats will continue emphasizing the separation between state policy and independent cultural institutions to protect the country’s neutral brand on the global stage.