President Trump Deserves Nobel Peace Prize, Says White House: How Is a Winner Chosen?
Trump and the Nobel Peace Prize: Who can nominate him? How many nominations have been received? How many American Presidents have received the award? What is the 50-year secrecy clause? Explained
Claiming that the US President has helped broker one peace agreement every month during his six months in office, a White House official on Thursday stated that Donald Trump should be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt mentioned that Trump has brought six conflicts to an end, including those between Israel and Iran, and India and Pakistan, adding, “It is high time President Trump is given the Nobel Peace Prize.”
“President Trump has now helped end conflicts between Thailand and Cambodia, Israel and Iran, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, India and Pakistan, Serbia and Kosovo, and Egypt and Ethiopia,” Leavitt stated.
What is the Nobel Peace Prize?
The Nobel Peace Prize is among the original awards set up by Alfred Nobel’s will in 1895. It is presented to individuals, organisations, or movements that:
“…shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses.”
Who gives the Nobel Peace Prize?
Unlike the other Nobel Prizes, which are presented in Sweden, the Peace Prize is awarded in Norway by the Norwegian Nobel Committee.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee
It consists of a five-member panel appointed by the Norwegian Parliament (Storting).
Members are typically retired politicians, scholars, or public personalities with experience in diplomacy, international law, or human rights.
Who is eligible to nominate?
A Nobel Peace Prize nomination is valid only if it is made by someone who falls under specific categories. As per the statutes of the Nobel Foundation, self-nominations are not accepted. Eligible nominators include:
- Members of national parliaments and governments (cabinet ministers) of sovereign countries, as well as current heads of state
- Members of The International Court of Justice and The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague
- Members of l’Institut de Droit International
- Members of the International Board of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom
- University professors, emeritus professors, and associate professors in fields such as history, social sciences, law, philosophy, theology, and religion; university rectors and directors; heads of peace or foreign policy institutes
- Nobel Peace Prize laureates
- Members of the governing board of organisations that have received the Nobel Peace Prize
- Present and past members of the Norwegian Nobel Committee (current members must submit proposals in the Committee’s first meeting after 1 February)
- Former advisers to the Norwegian Nobel Committee
Nominations for the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize
According to the official Nobel Prize website, 338 candidates have been nominated for the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, out of which 244 are individuals and 94 are organisations. This marks a considerable increase from the previous year’s 286 nominees. The highest ever number was recorded in 2016 with 376 candidates. The deadline for 2025 nominations was 31 January.
What is the deadline?
Nominations must be sent in by January 31 every year.
The 50-Year Secrecy Clause
All nominations are kept confidential for 50 years. Neither the nominator nor the nominee is informed whether their proposal has been shortlisted.
How are Nobel Peace Prize winners chosen?
1. Review: All nominations are carefully studied by the Committee.
2. Expert Consultation: Reports and assessments are sought from external experts in international relations, human rights, and related fields.
3. Shortlisting: A shortlist of candidates is prepared.
4. Deliberations: The Committee holds several meetings between February and October.
5. Voting: A majority vote is needed to select the winner.
6. Announcement: The winner is announced in early October.
7. Award Ceremony: Takes place in Oslo, Norway on December 10.
What does the laureate receive?
- A gold Nobel medal
- An official diploma
- A cash award (varies by year, but generally around 10 million SEK, roughly $900,000 USD)
How many US Presidents have received the Nobel Peace Prize?
Four American Presidents have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize so far:
- Theodore Roosevelt (1906): For mediating the end of the Russo-Japanese War (1904–1905), and for promoting international arbitration and the Hague Peace Conference.
- Woodrow Wilson (1919): For establishing the League of Nations after World War I, which laid the foundation for the United Nations.
- Jimmy Carter (2002): Awarded after his presidency, for decades of efforts in peaceful conflict resolution and human rights advocacy through the Carter Center.
- Barack Obama (2009): For “extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples,” especially in regard to nuclear disarmament. His award was seen as controversial as it came early in his first term.
