Norwegian Tourist Denied US Entry Amid JD Vance Meme Dispute

Mads Mikkelsen, a 21-year-old Norwegian tourist, was denied entry to the U.S. after U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents searched his phone and found a meme of Vice President JD Vance, along with a photo of a wooden pipe. Mikkelsen claims the meme led to intense questioning about drug smuggling, terrorism, and political extremism, followed by a strip search, blood sample, and fingerprinting, before being deported. However, U.S. authorities, including the Department of Homeland Security, firmly deny the meme was the cause, stating Mikkelsen was refused entry due to his admitted past marijuana use, which remains illegal at the federal level despite legality in some states and other countries. Mikkelsen disputes this official explanation and highlights errors in the deportation documents, including incorrect nationality and accusations of carrying drug paraphernalia. The incident has sparked international outrage, with politicians and parties in Ireland and the European Union criticizing the U.S. for what they view as authoritarian overreach and an infringement on freedom of expression. Several countries, including Ireland, Canada, the UK, and others, have issued travel advisories warning citizens about possible intrusive searches and questioning at U.S. borders.