Trump’s former minister pulls out of Norrsken’s Impact Week after booking sparks criticism

Kirstjen Nielsen, former US Secretary of Homeland Security under Donald Trump, has pulled out as a speaker at Norrsken’s flagship event, Impact Week, which takes place in Barcelona later this week.

Nielsen, who during her tenure was linked to the Trump administration’s border policy – widely criticised for resulting in children being separated from their parents – had been scheduled to appear on stage.

The booking had already prompted criticism from figures within Sweden’s impact community, who argued that inviting Nielsen risked being seen as an endorsement of her past policies.

A controversial booking

Nora Bavey, partner at VC firm Unconventional Ventures said the cancellation was welcome news.

“I have no idea why she dropped out, but I can only hope the criticism got through,” she told Impact Loop in a text message.

“Especially in times like these, it’s vital that red lines are upheld. In the impact sector, we must demand greater responsibility for who we platform as role models and important voices – and Nielsen should have no place there.”

Norrsken, however, maintained that her perspective on the climate crisis and shifting geopolitics could have been valuable to hear – while stressing that the booking did not imply agreement with her views or past actions.

The former US official cancelled her participation earlier this summer. According to Norrsken, the update was communicated to ticket holders in August.

Daniel Goldberg, deputy CEO of Norrsken, said the decision was Nielsen’s own and not connected to the backlash over her appearance.

“We would have liked to see her there, but these things happen,” Goldberg told Impact Loop. Asked why she cancelled, he added: “I honestly don’t know, you’d have to ask her.”

Big names gather in Barcelona

On Wednesday and Thursday, the Norrsken Foundation is set to host Impact Week in Barcelona – a gathering of investors, founders, and thinkers from around the world, with the stated aim of accelerating the green transition.

Impact Loop attempted to reach Nielsen via LinkedIn and through quantum computing company D-Wave, where she serves on the board, but received no response.