Former US national security adviser John Bolton has advised Norwegian authorities to disregard Donald Trump's sharp criticism of Norway, telling Nettavisen that the president's behaviour is driven entirely by wounded pride over not receiving the Nobel Peace Prize.
In an interview with the Norwegian outlet, Bolton said the matter comes down to one thing. He compared Trump to a young child who has been denied a treat, and argued that the reaction says more about the president's character than about anything else.
Bolton, who served as US ambassador to the United Nations under George W. Bush and later as national security adviser under Trump himself, added that most Americans are embarrassed by the president's conduct, according to Nettavisen.
Why it matters
Bolton's remarks carry weight because of his direct experience inside the Trump administration. He is not a distant critic but a former senior official who worked alongside the president at the highest level of US foreign policy.
His intervention also offers Norwegian officials a public signal on how to read the current tension: as a personal grievance rather than a policy dispute that requires a formal response. That distinction could shape how Oslo handles any further statements from Washington.
The comments come amid a wider debate in the Norwegian press about Trump's posture toward the country. Several outlets have published commentary and analysis on the relationship in recent days, with figures from Norwegian political life also weighing in on the president's criticism.
Bolton's advice: stay calm
When asked whether Norway could face punitive measures such as targeted tariffs because of Trump, Bolton urged Norwegian authorities not to lose their composure and not to allow themselves to be provoked, Nettavisen reports.
His counsel was to keep calm rather than respond in kind. The implication is that escalation would serve no purpose, since the underlying cause is not a disagreement over trade or security but the president's frustration over the peace prize.
Bolton framed the president's behaviour as a matter of personal disappointment rather than a calculated diplomatic strategy. In his account, the missing Nobel award is the sole explanation for the outbursts directed at Norway.
A familiar voice on Trump
Bolton's willingness to speak plainly about his former boss is well established. Having held two of the most senior posts in American foreign policy, he speaks from inside knowledge of how the administration operates, and Nettavisen's interview presents his assessment as a direct characterisation of the president's motives.
His remarks also touch on how the episode is viewed at home. According to Bolton, the behaviour is a source of embarrassment for many Americans, a claim he made in the same interview.
Norwegian officials have not indicated publicly how they intend to respond to Bolton's advice. What to watch next is whether Oslo chooses to stay silent in the face of further criticism from Washington, and whether the tariff question Bolton was asked about moves from speculation into actual policy.
