Republican Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska criticized President Donald Trump’s letter to Norway’s prime minister linking his push to acquire Greenland to not receiving the Nobel Peace Prize, calling it “very embarrassing conduct.”
Bacon posted on social media in response to a New York Times report on the letter, writing: “Very embarrassing conduct.”
Very embarrassing conduct. https://t.co/LaTl7MROYN
— Rep. Don Bacon 🇺🇸✈️🏍️⭐️🎖️ (@RepDonBacon) January 19, 2026
In the letter to Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, Trump stated he “no longer feel[s] an obligation to think purely of Peace” due to the Norwegian Nobel Committee’s decision not to award him the prize last year. Trump has questioned Denmark’s ownership of Greenland, an autonomous Arctic territory, and announced 10 percent tariffs on goods from eight European countries amid the effort.
Bacon, who is not seeking reelection in 2026, previously said in an interview with the Omaha World-Herald that he would consider impeaching Trump if the U.S. invaded Greenland, describing the idea as “utter buffoonery”.
Democratic lawmakers also condemned the letter. Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut wrote on social media: “These are the ramblings of a man who has lost touch with reality. He isn’t ok. He’s degraded significantly in the last year and he’s about to get us into a war with our allies.”
These are the ramblings of a man who has lost touch with reality. He isn’t ok. He’s degraded significantly in the last year and he’s about to get us into a war with our allies. https://t.co/Lf2X7zgZjU
— Chris Murphy 🟧 (@ChrisMurphyCT) January 19, 2026
Sen. Ruben Gallego of Arizona added his take, saying: “The U.S. is now the enemy of the free world because a pathetic man got his feelings hurt.”
The Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded the 2025 peace prize to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado. Machado presented the prize to Trump at the White House last week following the U.S. capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, though the committee stated the award cannot be transferred.
Prime Minister Støre told Bloomberg that Norway’s government does not award the Nobel prizes. European allies have opposed Trump’s Greenland push, citing the island’s strategic importance for Arctic security and resources.
