Trump Says They Won't Give Me a Nobel

By Sulagna Halder

Washington, June 21, 2025:

Former US President Donald Trump said on Friday that he “won’t get it because they only give it to liberals” after being nominated by Pakistan for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize, highlighting his continued dissatisfaction with the awarding process. 

The Pakistani government nominated Trump in a post on X, stating that he was worthy of the prestigious award for his "decisive diplomatic intervention and pivotal leadership during the recent India-Pakistan crisis." Pakistan praised his efforts to resolve the long standing conflict over Jammu and Kashmir and credited him with helping to secure a ceasefire.

In an interview with reporters, Trump reiterated his conviction that he was instrumental in reducing tensions between India and Pakistan. Although he acknowledged that Pakistan's nomination was "very nice," he went on to say, "They won't give me a Nobel Peace Prize because they only give it to liberals." He added that he has mediated a number of other agreements, such as the peace treaty between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and asserted that these accomplishments further support his eligibility for the award. 

Trump's allegation of mediation has been denied by Indian authorities, who assert that ceasefire talks took place directly between military leaders in both nations.

Vikram Misri, India's foreign secretary, confirmed that New Delhi "has not accepted mediation in the past and will never do so." India will handle the situation on its own, Prime Minister Modi reaffirmed. 

Trump's response is consistent with his long standing dissatisfaction over previous Nobel snubs. In the past, he questioned the fairness of the process and bemoaned the committee's decision to give the prize to Barack Obama shortly after he took office. Trump's bid for the Nobel Peace Prize was rekindled in February when Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe nominated him for the award in recognition of his efforts to promote peace between North and South Korea.

The Nobel selection is "completely outside the domain of US policy," according to Pentagon press secretary John Kirby, who responded to the news by saying that the Norwegian Committee should handle it. According to analysts, the Nobel Peace Prize frequently reflects not only accomplishments but also global narratives and political favor, regardless of nominations. 

Trump's insistence that he deserves the award keeps garnering attention as he points to his foreign policy interventions as proof of his attempts to bring about peace, ranging from the Abraham Accords in the Middle East to peace initiatives in Africa and South Asia. 

Trump's announcement has rekindled discussion about the politics of the Nobel Prize and the effect of high profile nominations on one's reputation abroad, as the nomination process is scheduled to close by the end of January next year.