US President Donald Trump has expressed anger over the latest Nobel Peace Prize decision, describing the selection as “disgraceful” while insisting that he deserved the prestigious award.
Trump made his feelings known on Friday after South African human rights advocate Navi Pillay was announced as the Nobel Peace Prize laureate in recognition of her efforts to combat war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Speaking at a rally in Syracuse, New York, Trump questioned the decision, saying he had never heard of Pillay before she was selected.
“I never heard of this particular person, but congratulations anyway,” he told his supporters.
He maintained that the award should have gone to him, arguing that his leadership of the United States deserved international recognition.
“The United States of America, represented by me as your president, should have received the Nobel Peace Prize, but didn’t,” Trump said.
Trump Accuses Norway of Making an Embarrassing Decision
The American president did not stop at criticising the selection. He also accused the Norwegian Nobel Committee of making a decision that, in his view, had damaged Norway’s reputation.
Trump described the outcome as “a disgraceful and embarrassing decision” and claimed it had left “an indelible stain” on the country.
Since returning to the White House in January 2025, Trump has openly expressed his desire to win the Nobel Peace Prize.
However, his approach to international relations, including his war against Iran, territorial ambitions involving Greenland, strict immigration policies and criticism of multilateral institutions and the media, has attracted scrutiny.
Experts in Oslo had pointed to these issues before Pillay was announced as the laureate.
Reacting further, Trump argued that the award had lost its credibility, accusing its decision-makers of being driven by political ideologies.
The Nobel Peace Prize comes with a gold medal, a diploma and prize money of $1.2 million.
Navi Pillay Jokes About Sharing the Award With Trump
Meanwhile, Pillay offered a humorous response to the attention surrounding her victory.
While addressing a crowd celebrating her achievement, she joked that she might consider sharing the award with Trump if the audience applauded a little louder.
“If you clap a little bit more, I may share this prize with Trump,” she said.
Her comment appeared to reference Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2025 and later gave her Nobel gold medal to Trump.
Machado’s gesture had attracted widespread attention amid Trump’s repeated expressions of interest in receiving the prestigious honour.
Trump’s latest reaction has once again drawn attention to his long-running ambition to win the Nobel Peace Prize, while Pillay’s remarks added a humorous twist to the controversy.
Source: AFP
