President Trump told reporters he "does not care" about the Nobel Peace Prize but repeated his claim that Norway controls the award, a position denied by Norway's prime minister and the independent Nobel Committee. He referenced María Corina Machado giving him an 18‑carat gold medal and reiterated that he believes he deserved the prize for ending several wars. Trump linked the perceived snub to his diplomatic push to acquire Greenland and announced tariffs on Denmark while leaving open the possibility of military action, drawing international concern.
Trump Says He "Doesn’t Care" About Nobel — Insists Norway "Controls" Prize as He Pushes for Greenland
Trump on Norway denying Nobel Prize control: ‘I don’t care’
President Donald Trump told reporters Monday that he "does not care" about the Nobel Peace Prize, while again asserting that Norway exerts control over the award — a claim Norwegian officials have denied.
Trump referenced Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, who gave him an 18‑carat gold medal during a White House meeting last week. He said a "very fine woman" believed he deserved the prize and wanted him to receive it.
The Nobel Committee responded indirectly, noting that although the prize's symbols — a medal and a diploma — can be handed to someone else, the honor itself is "inseparably linked" to the winner.
Trump's remarks followed a letter he sent to Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre in which he tied the Nobel Prize to a separate effort to pursue U.S. control of Greenland. In the letter he wrote that he no longer felt "an obligation to think purely of Peace," suggesting he could prioritize what he considers U.S. interests.
"Dear Jonas: 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, according to News Nation.
Prime Minister Støre pushed back, clarifying that the Norwegian government does not decide who receives the Nobel Peace Prize. "As regards the Nobel Peace Prize, I have clearly explained, including to President Trump what is well known, the prize is awarded by an independent Nobel Committee and not the Norwegian Government," he said.
Speaking to reporters Monday night, Trump rejected that explanation. "If anybody thinks that Norway doesn't control the Nobel Prize, they're just kidding," he said. "They have a board, but it's controlled by Norway. And I don't care what Norway said."
Trump has spent months publicly lobbying for the prize and has repeatedly claimed he deserved it for helping to end several conflicts. He said Monday that his priority is "saving lives" and reiterated his claim that his administration "stopped eight wars" and may have prevented a ninth.
Greenland, Tariffs and Security Concerns
The White House has also stepped up pressure on European partners as Trump pursues control of Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark. He announced plans to impose a 10 percent tariff on Denmark and allied countries beginning Feb. 1, with the possibility of raising it to 25 percent in June, until a deal is reached.
Administration officials argue U.S. control of the island would protect national security interests and counter perceived threats from Russia and China in the Arctic. Trump has not ruled out using military force to obtain Greenland, despite strong domestic and international opposition and warnings that such action could imperil NATO ties.
These developments have heightened diplomatic tensions between Washington and allied capitals, and raised questions about the administration's approach to international institutions and long‑standing alliances.
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