WASHINGTON – Former U.S. President Donald Trump has once again entered the global spotlight as fresh nominations emerge for his candidacy for the Nobel Peace Prize, sparking debate across political and diplomatic circles.
Trump, who has previously expressed interest in the prestigious award, was recently nominated by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, citing his role in the Abraham Accords and ongoing efforts to facilitate a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. The nomination, submitted in early July, applauds Trump’s “unwavering commitment to regional stability in the Middle East.”
In a surprising move, the Government of Pakistan also endorsed Trump, crediting his alleged behind-the-scenes efforts in diffusing tensions between Pakistan and India following a near-conflict situation earlier this year. According to officials familiar with the matter, diplomatic communication facilitated by Trump’s team reportedly helped prevent further escalation.
Controversy and Criticism
While Trump’s nominations have been welcomed by his supporters, they have also stirred considerable backlash. In Ukraine, lawmaker Oleksandr Merezhko withdrew his earlier nomination, accusing Trump of failing to take concrete steps toward ending the war between Russia and Ukraine.
The decision by Pakistan to nominate Trump has also triggered protests at home. Civil society groups and opposition leaders criticized the move, calling it “political appeasement” and questioning whether Trump’s actions qualify as genuine efforts for global peace.
Understanding the Nobel Process
As per the Nobel Foundation’s rules, nominations must be submitted by January 31 of the award year to be considered. Only heads of state, lawmakers, select university professors, and former laureates are eligible to nominate candidates. Trump’s latest nominations were submitted after the 2025 deadline, which means they will be considered for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee does not publicly comment on individual candidates or the status of nominations, in line with its long-standing confidentiality policy.
A Divisive Candidate
Trump, who has received multiple nominations in previous years as well, has long argued that his foreign policy achievements — particularly in the Middle East — deserve Nobel recognition. Despite this, critics point out that many of the deals lacked long-term implementation, and that his presidency was marked by heightened tensions with several global powers.
Five U.S. presidents have previously received the Nobel Peace Prize, including Barack Obama (2009) and Theodore Roosevelt (1906). Whether Trump will join that list remains to be seen.
As the world watches closely, Trump’s candidacy for the 2026 prize is likely to remain a subject of fierce debate in the months ahead.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.
