Norwegian Nobel Committee Awards 2026 Peace Prize to Navi Pillay, Not Donald Trump
The 2026 Nobel Peace Prize was given to South African lawyer Navi Pillay, while President Donald Trump, who had sought the award, was not selected.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee announced on Oct. 9 that the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize will be awarded to South African lawyer Navi Pillay for her work promoting human rights and international law. Pillay, a former United Nations high commissioner for human rights, has been recognized for her role in the anti-apartheid movement and investigations of crimes against humanity.
The decision came as President Donald Trump had publicly argued that his foreign-policy actions, including interventions in Venezuela, Iran and the Israel-Hamas conflict, merited the prize. Trump told reporters on Oct. 7 that he believed he had settled eight wars and that the award’s omission would be a “discredit” to the committee.
Committee chair Jørgen Watne Frydnes said the award reflects a need to protect the international legal system, which he said is under pressure from “power politics.”
Trump’s supporters, including Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, claimed he had been nominated for brokering a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war and for efforts to bring hostages home. However, analysts note that many of his initiatives have faced criticism and have not resulted in lasting peace agreements.
The Nobel Institute reiterated that the prize cannot be transferred or shared, after speculation that other organizations might award Trump a separate peace honor.