Following the announcement of the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize winner, analysts have discussed why President Donald Trump was never a strong candidate for the accolade.
The Nobel Peace Prize was announced by the Norwegian Nobel Committee on October 10, coinciding with Israel’s troop withdrawal from certain Gaza areas, a move authorized by the government as part of Trump’s ceasefire agreement.
In recent months, Trump has asserted he has ‘ended six wars’, and early into his second presidential term, he claimed he ‘deserves’ the Nobel Peace Prize, adding: “They will never give it to me.”
Despite this assertion, Trump did receive nominations for the Nobel Peace Prize from various notable figures, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. However, receiving a nomination does not guarantee candidacy for winning the award.
It has been confirmed that Trump was not selected as the award recipient, with the honor going to Venezuelan opposition leader and pro-democracy advocate Maria Corina Machado.
As of October 10, Trump has not publicly commented on Machado’s victory, but specialists have weighed in on why the US president was unlikely to receive the honor.
Asle Sveen, an author and historian specializing in the Nobel Peace Prize, commented that Trump had ‘no chance to get the Peace Prize at all,’ as reported by ABC News.
The foundation of the award, laid out in Alfred Nobel’s will, stipulates that the Peace Prize should be awarded to the individual who has ‘done the most or best to advance fellowship among nations’.
Nina Graeger, director of the Peace Research Institute Oslo, argued that Trump did not meet these standards.
In presenting Machado as the prize winner, the Nobel Committee highlighted the significance of democracy, an issue questioned during Trump’s tenure.
It stated: “Democracy is a precondition for lasting peace. However, we live in a world where democracy is in retreat, where more and more authoritarian regimes are challenging norms and resorting to violence.”
The committee emphasized that ‘Machado has been steadfast in her support for a peaceful transition to democracy’.
Darren Kew, dean of the Joan B Kroc School of Peace Studies at the University of San Diego, pointed out that the review period for the prize was 2024, predating Trump’s return to office, though he acknowledged the committee’s discretion in its choices.
He remarked: “If you look at [Trump’s] domestic record and his other international record, he has a lot of detractors as well.”
Additionally, some of Trump’s nominations, including Netanyahu’s, were submitted past the January 31 deadline.