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The winner of this year’s Nobel Peace Prize will be announced on Friday, and Donald Trump and his administration have made it clear they believe the former U.S. president deserves the honour.
Trump has openly pursued the Nobel Prize for years, starting in his first term, when he said that “many people” thought he merited the award. Earlier this year, during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, he remarked: “They will never give me a Nobel Peace Prize. I deserve it, but they will never give it to me.”
Following the recent Israel-Hamas agreement marking the first phase of Trump’s 20-point peace plan, some in Tel Aviv celebrated by calling for him to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.
Why Trump Thinks He Deserves the Prize
Trump claims he has been instrumental in ending multiple wars.
“I’ve ended six wars,” he said in August during a summit with Ukrainian and European leaders. The next day, in a Fox News interview, he increased the number to seven, insisting that no other leader had achieved such results.
However, experts question these claims. Dr. Samir Puri from Chatham House called them “absurd,” though he admitted there might be “grains of truth.” He explained that Trump’s actions often stop fighting temporarily rather than resolving underlying conflicts — more “conflict management” than “conflict resolution.”
Trump’s Nominations
The nomination deadline for the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize was 31 January, shortly after Trump returned to office. Over his two terms, he has been nominated more than ten times — by leaders including Netanyahu, Cambodia’s Hun Manet, a Ukrainian politician, and legislators from the U.S., Sweden, and Norway.
However, nominations don’t guarantee candidacy, and the Nobel Committee never reveals the nominee list before the announcement. This year, there are 338 candidates — 244 individuals and 94 organisations. It’s unclear whether any of Trump’s nominations were submitted before the deadline.
Netanyahu publicly nominated Trump in July, praising him for “forging peace” across multiple regions, citing his role in halting Iran and Israel’s recent “12-day war.”
Could Trump Actually Win?
Experts believe that if Trump successfully pressures Russia to end the Ukraine war or brings lasting peace to Gaza, he could be a strong contender.
This week, Israel and Hamas approved the first stage of Trump’s peace plan, with a ceasefire expected soon. Netanyahu said the agreement would secure the release of remaining hostages and credited Trump’s “great efforts” for the progress.
But Nina Graeger of the Peace Research Institute Oslo says the development came too late to influence this year’s decision, as the winner has already been chosen. Still, she added that if Trump’s plan leads to lasting peace, the committee might consider him seriously next year.
Why Critics Say Trump Doesn’t Deserve It
According to Alfred Nobel’s will, the Peace Prize should go to someone who has done the most to foster “fellowship among nations.” Graeger argues Trump’s record doesn’t fit that description, noting his withdrawal from the World Health Organization, the Paris Climate Accord, and his trade wars with allies.
Critics also cite Trump’s budget cuts to education and scientific research, including plans to dismantle the Department of Education and slash funding for the National Institutes of Health — moves that Ylva Engström of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences warned could harm academic freedom and innovation.
The Trump administration, however, defends its policies, saying they aim to reduce waste and encourage innovation.
Opponents further highlight Trump’s controversial use of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the recent deployment of National Guard troops to Chicago, which sparked protests even as the Gaza ceasefire took effect.
Reaction from the Nobel Committee
Asle Toje, deputy leader of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, said Trump’s aggressive lobbying for the award may actually hurt his chances:
“These kinds of campaigns tend to have a negative effect. We prefer to deliberate without external pressure.”
Who Might Win Instead?
The 338 nominees include Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Yulia Navalnaya (widow of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny), and humanitarian organisations like Doctors Without Borders and Sudan’s Emergency Response Rooms.
Other possibilities include UN institutions such as the International Court of Justice, or organisations defending press freedom, like the Committee to Protect Journalists or Reporters Without Borders — particularly in a year when record numbers of journalists have been killed, many in Gaza.
Peace mediators in Darfur, West Africa, and the Central African Republic are also seen as potential contenders for the prize.
