On June 11, 2025, Mads Mikkelsen, a 21-year-old Norwegian tourist, was denied entry to the United States at Newark Liberty International Airport after U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers found a meme of Vice President JD Vance on his phone.
The incident, reported by Norwegian outlet Nordlys, has sparked debate over border security measures and freedom of expression for international visitors.
Mikkelsen, who intended to visit friends in New York and Austin, faced detention upon arrival and underwent questioning about drug trafficking, terrorism, and right-wing extremism. CBP officers demanded his phone password, threatening a $5,000 fine or five years in prison if he refused to comply, he told Nordlys. After unlocking his device, agents found a meme depicting JD Vance with a bald, egg-shaped head—a viral image from March 2025 that Vance himself had shared. Authorities deported Mikkelsen to Norway the same day; he later described the experience as “abuse of power and harassment.”
Norwegian tourist, 21, refused entry to U.S. and deported after ICE finds JD Vance meme on phone — Daily Mail pic.twitter.com/CvPRbTO6L0
— NewsWire (@NewsWire_US) June 24, 2025The CBP refuted claims that Mikkelsen’s denial was due to the meme, stating on X that it resulted from his admitted past drug use. However, Mikkelsen insists the meme and a photo of a handmade wooden pipe were the focus of scrutiny. Similar incidents, including a French scientist and an Australian writer denied entry in 2025 for critical content on their devices, suggest heightened border scrutiny under stricter U.S. immigration policies.
NEW MEDIA HOAX JUST DROPPED
“Norwegian tourist denied entry to U.S. over JD Vance meme”
Reality: He admitted to drug use according to DHS
If not for X you would never know the truth. All the media does is lie. pic.twitter.com/uYF7Ilo4LN
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) June 25, 2025The case has ignited online discussions, with some criticising the U.S. for overreach and others questioning the balance between security and free speech. Social media posts labelled the incident “Orwellian,” reflecting concerns about surveillance. Norway’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that travellers must comply with U.S. entry rules, which CBP enforces with broad discretion. The lack of an official CBP statement on Mikkelsen’s case fuels ongoing debate.
