### Norwegian Tourist Detained Over JD Vance Meme: A Controversial Incident at Newark Airport A 21-year-old Norwegian tourist, Mads Mikkelsen, was detained at Newark Liberty International Airport after U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials discovered a meme of Vice President JD Vance on his phone. Mikkelsen claims that he was strip-searched, fingerprinted, and subjected to a five-hour detention before being deported back to Norway. He alleges that the incident was politically motivated, while U.S. authorities assert that his denial of entry was due to his admission of drug use, not the meme itself. This incident has sparked a debate over the intersection of free speech and border security in the U.S. [https://indianexpress.com/article/world/norwegian-tourist-detained-jd-vance-meme-drug-use-10094314, https://euroweeklynews.com/2025/06/26/norwegian-tourist-denied-us-entry-over-drugs-not-jd-vance-meme-say-officials]. ### Breakdown of the Incident: Claims and Responses 1. **Detention and Deportation**: Mikkelsen was detained for five hours, during which he was strip-searched and had his blood taken. He claims that the meme was the reason for his deportation [https://autos.yahoo.com/norwegian-tourist-detained-ice-then-032500095.html, https://latintimes.com/tourist-strip-searched-denied-entry-us-after-jd-vance-meme-found-his-phone-i-felt-humiliated]. 2. **Official Denials**: U.S. officials have refuted Mikkelsen's claims, stating that he was turned away due to his admission of drug use, not the meme [https://www.timesnownews.com/world/us/us-news/cbp-rejects-mads-mikkelsens-jd-vance-meme-deportation-claim-reveals-why-he-was-denied-entry-in-the-us-article-152147190, https://uk.news.yahoo.com/us-officials-refute-claim-tourist-143619969.html]. 3. **Political Implications**: The incident has raised questions about the implications of political expression at U.S. borders, with Mikkelsen arguing that the meme's content was a factor in his treatment [https://www.mediaite.com/media/news/norwegian-tourist-fires-back-at-dhs-denial-that-he-was-deported-over-jd-vance-meme, https://photonews.com.pk/norwegian-tourist-jd-vance-meme-denied-entry-2025]. 4. **Public Reaction**: The case has garnered significant media attention, leading to discussions about the balance between national security and freedom of expression [https://www.financialexpress.com/world-news/us-news/norwegian-tourist-denied-entry-into-us-over-bald-jd-vance-meme-customs-officials-fact-check-report/3891906, https://www.irishstar.com/news/us-news/tourist-refused-entry-us-jailed-35446772]. ### Evidence and Data Supporting Claims - **Detention Duration**: Mikkelsen was held for approximately five hours before being deported [https://autos.yahoo.com/norwegian-tourist-detained-ice-then-032500095.html]. - **Search Procedures**: He underwent a strip search and had his blood taken, which he described as humiliating [https://latintimes.com/tourist-strip-searched-denied-entry-us-after-jd-vance-meme-found-his-phone-i-felt-humiliated]. - **Official Statements**: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed that the meme was not the reason for his deportation, emphasizing drug use as the primary concern [https://www.timesnownews.com/world/us/us-news/cbp-rejects-mads-mikkelsens-jd-vance-meme-deportation-claim-reveals-why-he-was-denied-entry-in-the-us-article-152147190]. ### Conclusion: A Complex Intersection of Free Speech and Security **Key Findings**: 1. Mads Mikkelsen was detained and deported from the U.S. after a meme of JD Vance was found on his phone. 2. U.S. authorities maintain that his deportation was due to drug use, not the meme itself. 3. The incident has sparked a broader discussion about free speech and the treatment of individuals at U.S. borders. This incident highlights the ongoing tension between national security measures and the rights of individuals to express political opinions, raising important questions about the implications of such actions on international relations and personal freedoms [https://indianexpress.com/article/world/norwegian-tourist-detained-jd-vance-meme-drug-use-10094314, https://euroweeklynews.com/2025/06/26/norwegian-tourist-denied-us-entry-over-drugs-not-jd-vance-meme-say-officials].