Understanding the Nobel Peace Prize and Donald Trump's Prospects

The Nobel Peace Prize, established by Alfred Nobel's will, honors individuals or organizations that have significantly contributed to global peace. The 2025 laureate will be announced on October 10 at 11:00 am CEST in Oslo, Norway, with the award ceremony scheduled for December 10.

The selection process involves nominations from qualified individuals, including national assembly members, government officials, and university professors. For 2025, the Norwegian Nobel Committee received 338 nominations, comprising 244 individuals and 94 organizations.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has been nominated for the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the government of Pakistan. These nominations cite his role in brokering the Abraham Accords and efforts to mediate conflicts in the Middle East.

Despite these nominations, experts consider Trump's chances of receiving the award to be minimal. Historian Oeivind Stenersen remarked, "It's completely unthinkable," noting that Trump "is in many ways the opposite of the ideals that the Nobel Prize represents."

The Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded 105 times since 1901, recognizing 139 laureates, including 92 men, 19 women, and 28 organizations. Notable recipients include former U.S. Presidents Barack Obama and Jimmy Carter, Pakistani activist Malala Yousafzai, and the United Nations' World Food Program.

The Nobel Committee maintains confidentiality regarding nominees for 50 years, and the final decision is made by majority vote, with an emphasis on unanimity. The committee focuses on the durability of peace, promotion of international fraternity, and the quiet work of institutions that strengthen these goals.