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'We base our decision only on...': Norwegian committee on why Trump didn't get Nobel Peace Prize

The Norwegian Nobel Committee, while addressing a question on Trump's claim to the peace prize, said the decision is based on the work and will of Alfred Nobel.

Updated on: Oct 10, 2025, 16:48:07 IST
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The Norwegian Nobel Committee on Friday awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize to Venezuela's opposition leader and democracy activist Maria Corina Machado, in a move that is likely to send ripples to the White House.

US President Donald Trump, arrives to greet Alexander Stubb, Finland's president, not pictured, outside the West Wing of the White House in Washington, DC, US. Photographer: Stefani Reynolds/Bloomberg (Bloomberg)
US President Donald Trump, arrives to greet Alexander Stubb, Finland's president, not pictured, outside the West Wing of the White House in Washington, DC, US. Photographer: Stefani Reynolds/Bloomberg (Bloomberg)

President Donald Trump, who claimed to have resolved at least seven international conflicts, had long coveted the prestigious prize and at times openly expressed his desire to get the prestigious award. His Democratic predecessor Barack Obama won the peace prize in 2009.

Follow the latest updates on Nobel Peace Prize here

The Norwegian Nobel Committee, while addressing a question on Trump's claim to the peace prize, said that the decision on awarding the coveted prize is based on the work and will of Alfred Nobel, the founder of the Nobel Prize.

"This committee sits in a room filled with the portraits of all laureates and that room is filled with both courage and integrity. So, we base only our decision on the work and will of Alfred Nobel," Jørgen Watne Frydnes, chair of the committee, told a press briefing.

The five-strong Norwegian Nobel Committee, which awards the five Nobel prizes, base its decisions on the 1895 will of Alfred Nobel, who established the peace prize, alongwith literature, chemistry, physics and medicine.

Why Trump didn't get Nobel Peace Prize?

Trump had received several nominations for the prize from all across the world, including Russia, Rwanda, Gabon, Azerbaijan, and Cambodia. Several international leaders, including Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and Pakistani leader Shehbaz Sharif, have nominated the US President for the prize.

Also Read: Donald Trump misses out on Nobel Peace Prize despite ‘stopping’ eight wars. Here's why

However, the awarding committee said they have seen several instances of campaigns and media attention regarding the peace prize.

“We receive thousands of letters every year of people wanting to say what for them leads to peace,” Jørgen Watne Frydnes said, adding that the committee values courage and integrity while awarding the annual prize.

Trump had reiterated several times, including at the UN General Assembly, that he should have been awarded Nobel prize for his contributions in ending "seven wars in seven months". The ceasefire in Gaza, that came into effect on Thursday, would be the eighth conflict ‘to have been mediated’ by Trump.

“They’ll have to do what they do. Whatever they do is fine. I know this: I didn’t do it for that. I did it because I saved a lot of lives,” Trump said on Thursday.

  • Majid Alam
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    Majid Alam

    Majid Alam is a Chief Content Producer working at Hindustan Times, based in New Delhi. He currently heads shifts at online desk and manages homepage apart from writing, editing and curating articles. With over six years of experience in journalism, Majid has navigated national, politics and international news. His work primarily focuses on the politics of the Hindi heartland, government policies, and South Asia. He also writes on US and Europe’s policies vis-à-vis India. Before joining Hindustan Times, Majid worked at ABP LIVE as the Chief Copy Editor and at News18, where he managed the World and Explainers sections. His articles have featured in Dialogue Earth, The Quint, BMJ, The Diplomat, and Outlook India. Majid has a keen interest in the use of data for storytelling. Majid holds a Masters in Convergent Journalism from Jamia Millia Islamia. He was awarded the Erasmus+ scholarship to study International Affairs at Sciences Po, Paris in 2020. He is also part of the OCEANS Network, an alumni network of Erasmus+ exchange scholars. He is currently serving as the National Representative (India) at the OCEANS Network. Apart from journalism, Majid has a flair for academic writing and loves to teach. He has published a book chapter: 'Bombay Cinema and Postmodernism' in the book: 'Handbook of Research on Social and Cultural Dynamics in Indian Cinema.' He was also part of the OCEANS Network delegation to Hanoi National University of Education in Vietnam in 2025. He has also given guest lecture in digital journalism at AJK MCRC, Jamia Millia Islamia.Read More

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