JUST IN: Donald Trump Sends ‘Unsettling’ Message to World Cup Nation Amid Peace Prize Row

Donald Trump has sent an ‘unsettling’ private message to the prime minister of a World Cup nation amid a row over the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize and the status of Greenland. Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado was awarded the prestigious prize in October.

Before and after the announcement, the US president repeatedly stated his belief that he was the most deserving recipient, despite the committee saying Machado was chosen because of “her struggle to achieve a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy.”

The Trump administration captured Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro and his wife on January 3 and transported them to the United States, where they were charged with drug trafficking. In response, Machado recently visited the White House and presented Trump with her Peace Prize, although the Norway-based committee has clarified that the award cannot be transferred.

Tensions have risen between the Trump administration and European leaders over Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark. Trump has argued the United States should take control of the island, writing on his Truth Social page that the US needs it “to get the Russian threat away from Greenland,” adding that it “will be done.”

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, whose country has qualified for the 2026 World Cup co-hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico, sent a text message to Trump alongside Finnish President Alexander Stubb. He later confirmed to Norwegian outlet VG that Trump replied. The response, first published on social media by US journalist Nick Schifrin, read:

“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.”

He continued: Denmark cannot protect that land [Greenland] from Russia or China, and why do they have a ‘right of ownership’ anyway? There are no written documents, it’s only that a boat landed there hundreds of years ago, but we had boats landing there, also.

“I have done more for NATO than any other person since its founding, and now, NATO should do something for the United States. The World is not secure unless we have Complete and Total Control of Greenland. Thank you! President DJT.”

Greenland’s strategic location and large mineral deposits have been cited as key factors behind Trump’s efforts. He has not ruled out using force against a NATO member to seize the territory. European leaders have strongly opposed the idea and deployed military personnel to Greenland.

In response, the US president has threatened to impose higher trade tariffs on eight countries: the UK, France, Germany, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands and Finland. It is these threats that formed the basis of the Norwegian prime minister’s concerns, whose initial letter to the White House read: “Dear Mr President, dear Donald – on the contact across ‍the Atlantic – on Greenland, Gaza, Ukraine – and your tariff announcement yesterday.

“You know our position on these issues. But we believe we all should ‌work to take this down and de-escalate – so much is happening around us where we ‌need to stand together. We are proposing a call with you later today – with both of us or separately – give us a hint of what you prefer! Best – Alex and Jonas.”