Trump’s insult sparks Norway’s quirky campaign promoting scenic public toilets

Donald Trump’s description of Norway as a “shithouse country” prompted the nation’s tourism board to launch a tongue‑in‑cheek campaign showcasing its most picturesque public restrooms. The Visit Norway agency rolled out the slogan “Norway makes shithouses great again” and posted images of toilets set against fjords, mountains, rivers and the Northern Lights. The move came after Trump used the phrase at a rally in Port Huron, Michigan, on October 25, ahead of the November 3 US midterm elections, where he also complained about not receiving the Nobel Peace Prize. The campaign re‑used material originally created for World Toilet Day on November 19, adding a direct reply to the president’s comment. One highlighted site is the restroom at the Stegastein viewpoint in western Norway, perched above the Aurlandsfjord; its large window offers a sweeping landscape view while shielding interior privacy, and it was named among the world’s ten best public toilets by DesignCurial in 2015. Another featured installation is a triangular “Golden Toilet” on Senja Island, part of a series of architect‑designed facilities along scenic routes that have earned international design awards. Evgenia Egorova, Visit Norway’s social‑media lead, told the Associated Press the reuse of the World Toilet Day assets generated overwhelmingly positive reactions, adding, “When life gives you lemons or quotes like this, you just do the lemonade — and all the viral content.” Norway also clarified that the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded by an independent committee appointed by its parliament, not by the government, after the 2026 prize went to South African jurist Navi Pillay. No new immigration policy targeting Norwegian nationals has been announced. ## Context The episode reflects a broader pattern of Trump using vulgar labels for countries, while Norway’s response illustrates how a nation can turn a political jab into a light‑hearted tourism promotion, highlighting the country’s commitment to design‑focused public amenities.