A letter attributed to US President Donald Trump and dated 19 January 2026 has triggered controversy after suggesting that his continued commitment to what he describes as “peace” is conditional on receiving the Nobel Peace Prize. In the message, Trump implies that international restraint should no longer be assumed if his role in halting global violence is not formally acknowledged, signalling a more openly transactional approach to diplomacy.

Addressed to Norway’s prime minister, the letter claims that Trump oversaw the end of multiple global wars, yet was deliberately overlooked by the Nobel Committee. He states that while peace would remain a priority, it would no longer be the sole framework guiding his decisions, placing greater emphasis on what he describes as US strategic interests. The tone marks a shift from conventional diplomatic language towards explicit pressure on institutions traditionally seen as independent.

The letter extends beyond the Nobel issue to raise questions about European sovereignty and security. Trump challenges Denmark’s control over Greenland, casting doubt on its capacity to defend the territory and questioning the legal basis of its claim. He also argues that NATO has disproportionately benefited from US support, insisting that the alliance must deliver tangible returns to Washington. Control over Greenland is framed as essential, in his view, to global security.

The document concludes with Trump reiterating these positions and signing as the forty-fifth president of the United States. Its circulation online has prompted debate about its authenticity, timing and implications, particularly for relations between Washington and its European allies, at a moment of heightened international instability shaped by ongoing genocidal war dynamics.