(Image source from: REUTERS)
The White House condemned the Nobel Committee after US President Donald Trump was not chosen for this year's Nobel Peace Prize, claiming the decision was influenced by politics. “Once again, the Nobel Committee has shown that they prioritize politics over peace," stated White House Communications Director Steven Cheung in a message on X (formerly Twitter). He mentioned that the decision demonstrated “partiality instead of a true commitment to worldwide peace." “President Trump will keep achieving peace agreements globally, stopping wars and saving lives. He truly cares about humanitarian efforts, and there will never be anyone like him who can achieve great things through his strong determination," Cheung added.
Just hours before the announcement, Donald Trump criticized former US President Barack Obama, alleging that he won the Nobel Peace Prize for “doing nothing" and for “ruining our country." “He received it for doing nothing. Obama won a prize- he wasn’t even aware of what for- he got elected, and they awarded it to Obama for absolutely nothing except for damaging our country," Donald Trump expressed. Barack Obama received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2009, just eight months after he began his presidency. At that time, the Norwegian Nobel Committee acknowledged “his remarkable efforts to enhance international diplomacy and cooperation among nations."
Donald Trump, who returned to the Oval Office in January, has highlighted his administration's role in facilitating peace in Gaza and ending eight conflicts, claiming he is “focused on results, not awards." Since returning to office, Donald Trump has also attempted to impact the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO), which has an advisory position in the Nobel selection process. The Norwegian Nobel Committee announced that the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize has been granted to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado for her “dedicated work advancing democratic rights for the people of Venezuela and her efforts to achieve a fair and peaceful change from dictatorship to democracy."
María Corina Machado is receiving the prize, valued at 11 million Swedish kronor ($1.2 million), for her activism for democracy when many countries are leaning towards authoritarian rule. The Nobel Peace Prize ceremony will take place in Oslo on December 10, the date marking Alfred Nobel’s death. Up to now, four US presidents have won the Nobel Peace Prize: Theodore Roosevelt (1906) for helping to end the Russo-Japanese War, Woodrow Wilson (1919) for establishing the League of Nations, Jimmy Carter (2002) for his human rights and peace efforts, and Barack Obama (2009) for his diplomatic initiatives.
