Donald Trump, the former U.S. president, has never been short on controversy, media coverage, or ambition driven by high stakes. Among his numerous interests, one has emerged time and time again—his eagerness to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Is Donald Trump Desperate for a Nobel Prize? or desperate for global acclaim?
Trump’s interest in the Nobel Prize, specifically the Peace Prize, has been ongoing during his presidency and outside of it. He’s brought it up during campaign speeches, interviews, and news conferences—sometimes with humor, sarcasm, and genuine pining.
In 2019, he complained publicly that President Barack Obama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize “immediately” upon entering office, and yet he, though having made “historic” accomplishments, had not been.
What Were His Reasons for Deserving It?
Trump and his allies have cited a number of foreign policy actions as reasoning:
Abraham Accords: A diplomatic deal negotiated under Trump’s leadership that normalized relations between Israel and various Arab states (UAE, Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco).
Meetings with North Korea: Trump became the first U.S. president in office to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, marking an end to decades of animosity.
Withdrawal of U.S. troops from combat zones such as Afghanistan and Syria.
These moves, though widely criticized and inconsistent in their outcome, were regarded by some as peaceful gestures—enough for some of Norway’s and Japan’s right-wing politicians to make him a candidate for the Nobel Peace Prize in various years.
Critics of Trump’s nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize accuse Trump of thinking of himself more than the peacebuilding. They point to his divisive domestic priorities along with his aggressive rhetoric, and his withdrawal from international agreements on climate and global health (See Paris Agreement, WHO), while contradictory to those elements of the Nobel idea.
Nevertheless, supporters argue that President Trump’s “America First” foreign policy disrupted existing power arrangements and produced actual results that past Presidents have not been able to achieve.
Nobel Committee: Not Engaged but Watching
The Nobel committee does not participate in political battles and contests, and there are a lot of nominations all the time—hundreds each year—but most do not reach the longlist, and even fewer exemplify the kind of peace, forgiveness, and human advancement that the Nobel prize symbolizes.
For now, Trump has not been on the shortlist.
Final Thought: Desire or Desperation?
Whether or not Trump is “desperate” for the Nobel Peace Prize is in the realm of opinion—but his frequent mentions, nominations, and public frustration indicate he very much wants it. For some, it represents his sheer need for attention. For others, it’s a rightful assertion based on aggressive foreign policy actions.
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