Mads Mikkelsen, a 21-year-old Norwegian tourist, says his summer vacation to the U.S. ended before it could even begin, all because of a meme of JD Vance.
Mikkelsen landed at Newark Liberty International Airport on June 11th, expecting to explore the States. But shortly after his arrival, he says he was pulled aside by border officers, placed in a holding cell, and interrogated for hours. According to Norwegian outlet Nordlys, Mikkelsen described the experience as “an abuse of power and harassment.”
“They asked questions about drug trafficking, terrorist plots, and right-wing extremism totally without reason,” he said. Things escalated when border agents demanded access to his phone. Mikkelsen says he was threatened with a $5,000 fine or five years in prison if he didn’t hand over his password.
Once inside his phone, agents reportedly found a meme saved in his photo roll. The image poked fun at JD Vance by exaggerating his head to look bald and egg-shaped. That, according to Mikkelsen, was the turning point.
He was immediately denied entry and put on a return flight to Norway the same day.
The incident raises questions about how U.S. border agents interpret digital content, especially humorous or political memes, and whether it plays a role in entry decisions. It follows closely on the heels of another controversial case: Australian writer Alistair Kitchen claimed he was turned away at LAX after agents questioned him about his views on the Gaza conflict and pro-Palestinian protests.
As Mikkelsen tells it, his case wasn’t about safety—it was about expression. And in 2025, it appears that even a meme might be enough to get your passport stamped “denied.”
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