As the world awaits the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize announcement in Oslo, all eyes are once again on Donald Trump — a man who has rarely hidden his desire to add one of the world’s most prestigious honours to his legacy.
Calling himself “the president of peace,” Trump insists he deserves the award for allegedly ending seven wars and brokering historic ceasefires, most recently between Israel and Hamas. Yet, behind the bravado lies a mix of political theatre, diplomatic manoeuvring, and deep scepticism from the global community.
Just hours after the White House posted a triumphant image of Trump with the caption “The President of Peace,” the former president admitted that he doubted he would win. “I don’t think they’ll give it to me,” he told USA Today. “Maybe they’ll find a reason not to.” Still, his campaign to be recognised by the Norwegian Nobel Committee has been relentless. From the early days of his first term, Trump and his supporters — including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, and several US and Scandinavian lawmakers — have publicly pushed for his nomination.
The renewed momentum followed the signing of a ceasefire deal in Gaza, described by Netanyahu as “a crucial turning point” achieved through Trump’s “great efforts.” Supporters argue that his 20-point peace plan and diplomatic pressure helped pave the way for negotiations. In Israel, some even celebrated in the streets, chanting “Nobel for Trump.”
However, in Norway, reactions are more cautious. Politicians across the spectrum have warned of potential diplomatic fallout if Trump fails to win. Kirsti Bergstø, leader of the Socialist Left Party, told The Guardian that her country must be “ready for anything.” Others, like Arild Hermstad of Norway’s Green Party, reminded that peace prizes “are earned through consistent commitment, not social media outbursts or intimidation.”
Experts also note that the Peace Prize, established by Alfred Nobel’s will, is intended for those who “promote fraternity between nations.” Critics argue that Trump’s record — withdrawing the US from the Paris Climate Agreement, the World Health Organization, and launching trade wars against allies — contradicts that spirit. Nina Gregger of the Oslo Peace Research Institute says the Gaza truce likely came too late to affect this year’s decision but could factor into future discussions “if it leads to lasting peace.”
Historically, four US presidents have received the Nobel Peace Prize: Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, Jimmy Carter, and Barack Obama. Each earned it for tangible diplomatic achievements, from ending wars to founding global institutions. Whether Trump joins that list remains uncertain. What is certain, however, is that his campaign for the prize — loud, polarising, and deeply political — has once again made the Nobel Peace Prize a stage for international debate on the very meaning of peace in the modern world.
