Trump told Norway he pushed for Greenland after not winning Nobel, texts say

President Trump told Norway’s prime minister in a text message that one reason he is pushing to acquire Greenland is that he did not win the Nobel Peace Prize, the Norwegian prime minister’s office said, and the message was first published by PBS. In the text, Mr. Trump wrote, “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,” and added that “Denmark cannot protect that land from Russia or China” and that “The World is not secure unless we have Complete and Total Control of Greenland.” The exchange followed a message from Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, co-signed by Finland’s Alexander Stubb, asking to de-escalate tensions over Greenland and to speak by phone.

Mr. Store’s office provided copies of the messages to The New York Times, and Mr. Store said he had explained that the Nobel Committee is independent of the Norwegian government. The dispute has escalated in recent days: Greenland has been part of the Danish kingdom for more than 300 years, Denmark has refused to sell the territory, and officials and world leaders have condemned Mr.

Trump’s insistence the United States take control. Hundreds of Greenlanders protested in Nuuk, and Denmark has sent soldiers and a warship to the island. The message, officials said, injected fresh uncertainty into Mr. Trump’s thinking and his campaign to gain control of Greenland.

Key Topics

Politics, Donald Trump, Greenland, Denmark, Jonas Gahr Store, Nobel Peace Prize