In 2021 he wrote an opinion piece in Stavanger Aftenblad in which he claimed that the youth-wing of the Norwegian Labour Party had used the memory of the 2011 Norway attacks for political gain, and to cast right-wing opponents in an unfavourable light.
[2][3][4][5][6] His article was criticised by the leader of Young Labour for containing conspiracy theories, factual errors and serious allegations.
[7] His employer, BI Norwegian Business School distanced themselves immediately from his comments[8] and Stavanger Aftenblad apologised the following week for publishing the article.
[9] Gjems-Onstad's support in an op-ed for a “green pass”, allowing people to travel without restrictions if they have been vaccinated against COVID-19, has caused controversy.
He rejects the idea that vaccine passports would create a two-tier society where inoculated people enjoy a restriction-free life while younger generations, waiting for their jab, continue to have their activities curtailed.