Could Donald Trump Really Win the Nobel Peace Prize? Here's What You Need to Know About This Prestigious Global Award—and Why It’s Stirring Debate.
By Kerry Breen, News Editor
October 8, 2025 / 5:00 AM EDT / CBS News
Barack Obama, Jimmy Carter, Woodrow Wilson, Teddy Roosevelt, Al Gore—and now, Donald Trump? The idea of former President Trump joining the ranks of these Nobel Peace Prize laureates is sparking curiosity and controversy as the 2025 winner is set to be announced this Friday.
The Nobel Peace Prize is one of the most esteemed international honors, awarded to individuals or organizations whose efforts have significantly contributed to making the world a more peaceful place. While the Nobel Committee keeps nominees confidential, some nominators publicly reveal their choices. Since its inception in the early 1900s, the prize has been bestowed upon world leaders, activists, and global organizations dedicated to peace.
So, what exactly is the Nobel Peace Prize, when is it awarded, and could Donald Trump realistically be a recipient? Let’s break it down.
When Will the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize Be Announced?
The announcement for the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize winner is scheduled for Friday, October 10, at 5 a.m. Eastern Time. The formal award ceremony will take place on December 10 in Oslo, Norway, continuing a long-standing tradition.
What Is the Nobel Peace Prize?
The Nobel Prize was created by Alfred Nobel, a Swedish industrialist and inventor, who in his will directed that his fortune be used to establish a fund awarding those who "shall have conferred the greatest benefit on mankind." Specifically, Nobel’s will stated the Peace Prize should honor the person who has done "the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, the abolition or reduction of standing armies, and the promotion of peace congresses."
Over time, the scope of the prize has broadened. It now recognizes a wide range of peace-promoting efforts, including combating climate change, advancing democracy, and fostering human rights. Recipients have included politicians who championed international diplomacy, advocates for arms control and nuclear disarmament, and humanitarian organizations.
Besides peace, Nobel Prizes are also awarded in fields like medicine, literature, and physics. Winners receive a gold medal, a diploma, and a cash award. The Peace Prize medal features Alfred Nobel’s portrait on the front, with his name and birth and death years inscribed on the edge. The reverse side depicts three men embracing, symbolizing international brotherhood, accompanied by the Latin inscription "Pro pace et fraternitate gentium" (For peace and fraternity among peoples).
How Is the Nobel Peace Prize Decided?
The Nobel Peace Prize is unique among the Nobel awards because it is selected by a committee appointed by the Norwegian Parliament, whereas the other prizes are awarded in Sweden. According to the Nobel Committee’s guidelines, the prize should go to the individual or group that has done the most to advance peace globally.
Nominations can be submitted by a wide range of eligible nominators, including members of national governments and parliaments, judges of international courts, university professors, former laureates, and members of the Nobel Committee itself. The nomination deadline is January 31 each year. For 2025, over 330 candidates were nominated.
Importantly, nominations are not endorsements; they are simply submissions that the committee reviews. The names of nominees and nominators remain secret for 50 years. After the deadline, the committee narrows the list to the most promising candidates, who then undergo thorough evaluation before a final decision is made by majority vote, ideally reaching consensus.
Who Has Won the Nobel Peace Prize?
Since 1901, the Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded 105 times to 139 laureates, including 92 men, 19 women, and 28 organizations. The first recipients were Frédéric Passy, a French economist and peace activist, and Jean Henry Dunant, a Swiss businessman who co-founded the Red Cross. Passy was recognized for his lifelong dedication to international peace conferences and diplomacy, while Dunant was honored for his humanitarian work aiding wounded soldiers and fostering international understanding.
Other notable laureates include Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani education activist awarded in 2014; former President Barack Obama, who received the prize in 2009 for his efforts to strengthen international diplomacy despite having been in office less than a year; and Jimmy Carter, honored in 2002 for his decades of peace work. Holocaust survivor and author Elie Wiesel won in 1986, and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, a key figure in the fight against apartheid in South Africa, was awarded in 1984.
Organizations such as the United Nations World Food Programme and the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons have also been recipients, highlighting the prize’s broad recognition of peace efforts.
Could Donald Trump Be Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize?
Donald Trump has repeatedly described himself as a "president of peace," claiming to have ended six or seven wars during his second term, including conflicts involving Israel and Iran, India and Pakistan, and Thailand and Cambodia. However, many of these conflicts remain unresolved, and experts have questioned whether U.S. actions were decisive in these situations.
Trump has also proposed peace plans for Israel and Gaza and engaged with world leaders about ending Russia’s war in Ukraine. In June 2025, he told reporters the Nobel Committee "should give" him the prize and that he "should have gotten it four or five times." He echoed similar sentiments in speeches to United Nations delegates and military leaders but later told CBS News he is not actively seeking the award, emphasizing instead his desire to save lives and end wars.
Trump’s nominations for the prize have come from notable sources: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu nominated him in July, and the government of Pakistan did so in June. Recently, the Israeli Hostages Families Forum urged the Nobel Committee to award Trump the prize for his "unwavering commitment and extraordinary leadership" in efforts to secure the release of hostages taken by Hamas in October 2023. However, these efforts occurred after the nomination deadline for the 2025 prize.
Trump was also nominated during his first term, but experts suggest the Nobel Committee is unlikely to award him the prize based on his second-term actions so far. This contrasts with Obama’s 2009 win, which was seen as surprising because it came early in his presidency without concrete peace agreements.
The Nobel Committee tends to prioritize the lasting impact of peace efforts, the promotion of international brotherhood, and the often behind-the-scenes work of institutions that support these goals. Additionally, the committee is cautious about appearing politically influenced, which adds another layer of complexity to awarding the prize.
So, What Do You Think?
Is Donald Trump’s peace record deserving of the Nobel Peace Prize, or is this more about political posturing? Should the Nobel Committee focus on tangible peace agreements, or also recognize efforts that promote dialogue and reduce tensions? This is the part most people miss: the prize isn’t just about headline-grabbing deals but about sustainable peace and international cooperation.
We’d love to hear your thoughts. Do you agree with Trump’s claims? Should he be considered for the Nobel Peace Prize? Or do you think the committee should steer clear of politically charged nominations? Share your opinions in the comments below and join the conversation.
Kerry Breen is a news editor at CBSNews.com. A graduate of New York University’s Arthur L. Carter School of Journalism, she previously worked at NBC News’ TODAY Digital. She covers current events, breaking news, and issues including substance use.
