Trump’s Quest for Global Recognition
The Nobel Peace Prize has long been considered one of the most prestigious global honors, awarded to individuals and organizations that have significantly advanced peace and cooperation among nations. U.S. president Donald Trump has openly positioned himself as a contender, citing his foreign policy initiatives and ceasefire claims. Recently, however, social media erupted with speculation that the U.S. president had been permanently banned from ever receiving the prize — a rumor that spread like wildfire but ultimately proved false.
The Rumor That Sparked Confusion
The controversy began when an image styled as an Associated Press (AP) bulletin began circulating online. The supposed release, dated September 25, 2025, claimed the Nobel Committee had disqualified Trump because of his “controversial comments” during a UN address and his decision to rename the U.S. Department of Defense as the “Department of War.” It even listed a fake contact at a dubious website, swisstimes.org, under the dramatic headline: “NPC BARRS TRUMP ACCOLADE.”
Despite glaring red flags, the post was widely shared, creating the impression that the committee had taken an unprecedented step against Trump.
Fact-Checking the Hoax
Closer inspection quickly revealed the story to be a fabrication. The real Associated Press avoids sensational language and would never include unverified contacts or questionable domains. More critically, Nobel Prize institutions do not operate in such a manner.
Nominations are made confidentially by authorized individuals and organizations, and the Norwegian Nobel Committee — the body responsible for the Peace Prize — evaluates candidates in secrecy until the official announcements. There is no provision for “permanent disqualification.”
The lack of confirmation from any credible media outlet underscored that the claim was a hoax designed to mislead.
Trump’s Nobel Ambitions
Even though the rumor is false, Trump’s pursuit of the Nobel Peace Prize is very real. He has frequently lobbied for recognition, pointing to his role in fostering international negotiations and what he claims were halted conflicts. During his recent UN General Assembly address, Trump declared he had “ended seven wars,” citing examples such as India-Pakistan tensions and disputes between Thailand and Cambodia.
“We are forging peace agreements and stopping wars,” he told the audience, insisting that his trade policies created conditions for stability.
Why Experts Remain Skeptical
Despite his claims, scholars and Nobel observers remain doubtful about Trump’s chances. According to Alfred Nobel’s will, the award must go to the individual who has done the most to advance fraternity among nations. Trump’s record, experts argue, reflects the opposite.
Historians point to his withdrawal of the U.S. from global frameworks such as the Paris Climate Accord and the World Health Organization, his confrontational trade policies with allies, and his unwavering support for Israel during the Gaza conflict. “That is not exactly what we associate with a peaceful president,” remarked Nina Graeger of the Peace Research Institute Oslo.
Lobbying and Its Backfire Effect
Trump’s vocal campaign for the Nobel Prize may itself be undermining his aspirations. Asle Toje, deputy chair of the Nobel Committee, has explained that aggressive lobbying is often counterproductive: “Some candidates push very hard, and it creates more resistance than support.”
The committee values discretion and independence, and overt self-promotion rarely aligns with its ethos. Joergen Watne Frydnes, the committee’s chair, emphasized that public campaigns do not influence deliberations. “All politicians may want the Nobel Prize,” he said, “but our process remains the same, guided by the principles Alfred Nobel envisioned.”
Nobel Prize Announcement Looms
This year’s Peace Prize laureates are set to be announced on October 10, and as always, the nominations remain secret. While Trump’s name may or may not have been submitted, experts broadly agree that his chances are minimal. His controversial policies and public image clash with the prize’s legacy of honoring genuine peacemakers, from Nelson Mandela to Malala Yousafzai.
A Prize Out of Reach
The viral disqualification rumor may have been debunked, but it shed light on Trump’s relentless pursuit of validation through the Nobel Peace Prize. His claims of peace-making, his lobbying tactics, and his rhetoric at international forums have kept him in the conversation — though often for the wrong reasons.
Ultimately, while he remains technically eligible, experts believe the gulf between Trump’s political record and the Nobel Peace Prize’s ideals is too wide to bridge. The committee’s strict independence and preference for quiet diplomacy suggest that Trump’s quest for the accolade is less about possibility and more about political theater.
(With agency inputs)
