What Is the Nobel Peace Prize—And Could Donald Trump Win It?
October 8, 2025
As the world prepares for the announcement of the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, speculation swirls around one particularly high-profile figure: former U.S. President Donald Trump. Could he join the ranks of Nobel laureates that include names like Barack Obama, Jimmy Carter, and Malala Yousafzai?
While the answer remains uncertain, what is clear is that the Nobel Peace Prize is not a political trophy—it’s a recognition of lasting efforts toward peace, awarded under strict criteria by a committee insulated from public lobbying and pressure.
What Is the Nobel Peace Prize?
Founded in the will of Alfred Nobel, the 19th-century Swedish inventor and philanthropist, the Nobel Peace Prize was envisioned as a way to honor those who have “conferred the greatest benefit on mankind.” While Nobel’s will specifically mentioned peace advocacy, including the reduction of standing armies and promotion of peace congresses, the modern interpretation includes a broad range of peace-related efforts—ranging from arms control to climate change activism, human rights, and diplomatic conflict resolution.
Since 1901, the Peace Prize has been awarded 105 times to 139 laureates, including individuals and organizations working for international harmony. Recipients receive a gold medal, a diploma, and a monetary award, all presented during a ceremony each December 10 in Oslo, Norway—unlike the other Nobel prizes, which are awarded in Sweden.
When Will the 2025 Prize Be Announced?
The 2025 Nobel Peace Prize will be announced on Friday, October 10 at 5:00 a.m. ET, with the formal ceremony taking place two months later in Oslo. More than 330 candidates were submitted before this year’s nomination deadline on January 31, although the full list of nominees remains sealed by the Nobel Committee for 50 years.
How Is the Peace Prize Awarded?
Contrary to popular belief, the Peace Prize isn’t awarded based on public opinion, headlines, or even political lobbying. Instead, a five-member Nobel Committee, appointed by Norway’s Parliament, conducts a careful review of the nominations.
Eligible nominators include:
- Members of national parliaments or governments
- University professors and directors
- Past Nobel Peace Prize winners
- Members of international courts and institutions
After nominations close, the committee reviews the list and creates a shortlist. Final candidates are vetted, assessed, and discussed. A winner (or winners) is then selected by majority vote, although the committee prefers to make a unanimous decision whenever possible.
Who Has Won It in the Past?
Notable recipients span continents and causes. They include:
- Malala Yousafzai (2014), for her advocacy for girls’ education
- Barack Obama (2009), honored for his efforts to promote diplomacy and international cooperation early in his presidency
- Elie Wiesel (1986), for his work confronting genocide and promoting peace
- Desmond Tutu (1984), for his fight against apartheid in South Africa
- The International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (2017)
- The United Nations’ World Food Program (2020)
Recipients are honored not only for their achievements but for the lasting impact and durability of their contributions to peace.
Could Donald Trump Win the Nobel Peace Prize?
Donald Trump, never shy about his ambitions, has long expressed interest in joining the ranks of Nobel laureates. He has been nominated multiple times, including during both his presidencies. In 2025, he was reportedly nominated by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the government of Pakistan.
His supporters cite several initiatives:
- Efforts to mediate peace between Israel and Arab states
- Public calls for a resolution to Russia’s war in Ukraine
- Claimed involvement in reducing tensions between countries like India and Pakistan, Israel and Iran, and others
- A Middle East peace proposal during his second term
Additionally, the Israeli Hostages Families Forum recently urged the Nobel Committee to honor Trump for his role in negotiating the release of hostages taken by Hamas in 2023.
But those efforts came after the nomination deadline, and experts are skeptical that his record, even if sincere, meets the committee’s bar for the prize.
Why Experts Are Skeptical
According to analysts interviewed by the Associated Press, the Nobel Committee values enduring impact over short-term headlines. While Trump’s actions may have garnered international attention, critics argue that:
- Several of the conflicts he claimed to end were either not fully resolved or not significantly influenced by the U.S.
- His foreign policy legacy includes withdrawals from international agreements that may have undermined global cooperation
- The committee is resistant to political pressure and unlikely to reward overt self-promotion
While former President Obama received the award in his first year in office—sparking its own wave of controversy—many observers believe the committee has since adopted a more measured approach.
What Trump Says
Despite lobbying for the award in public speeches and interviews, Trump has also taken a more subdued tone in recent weeks.
“I have nothing to say about it,” he told CBS News in September. “All I can do is put out wars.”
“I don’t seek attention. I just want to save lives.”
Still, he has publicly claimed the Nobel Committee “should give” him the prize—multiple times.
Final Word: Is It Likely?
In short: unlikely, at least in 2025. While Donald Trump has certainly been nominated, the final decision is in the hands of a private, independent committee that has historically awarded the Peace Prize based on long-term, global impact, not political claims or popularity.
The announcement on October 10 will confirm whether Trump’s name will be etched in Nobel history—or remain a talking point in political circles.
