Trump's Nobel Peace Prize Push: The Saga Continues
Trump and associates leverage potential Israel-Iran truce to advocate for Nobel Peace Prize for Trump
The Nobel Peace Prize is back in the spotlight, with former President Donald Trump eagerly staking his claim once again. This time, he's leveraging the tentative ceasefire between Israel and Iran as a potential win[1].
The Latest Act: A Temporary Truce
Representative Buddy Carter, a Republican from Georgia, kicked off the campaign by nominating Trump for the prize. His reasoning? Trump's successful efforts in preventing Iran, known for its worldwide terrorism activities, from acquiring the deadliest weapon on the planet, nuclear weapons[1][2]. This comes after the U.S. strikes against three of Iran's nuclear facilities over the weekend[3]. However, the impact of the attacks remains unclear[2].
The Twitter Cacophony
Trump himself took to Truth Social, the platform he founded after being banned from Twitter, to post a tweet endorsing his Nobel Peace Prize aspirations. He also echoed the sentiments of his son, Donald Trump Jr., who suggested that denying Trump the award after it was given to former President Barack Obama in 2019 would amount to "affirmative action"[2].
The Hawk's Roar
Senator Lindsey Graham, a known hawk and vocal proponent of American intervention in Iran, went a step further. He declared that if the U.S. manages to change Iran's behavior, Trump would deserve a Nobel Peace Prize "on steroids"[2].
Trudeau's Tangent
Amidst this fervor, it's worth noting that Carter is running for a Senate seat in Georgia. An endorsement from Trump could significantly boost his chances against his competitors[4].
International Recognition
Ukrainian lawmaker Oleksandr Merezhko had earlier nominated Trump for the prize, hoping it would compel Trump to broker a peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia[5]. However, Merezhko rescinded the nomination this week, alleging Trump's dwindling focus on the Russia-Ukraine war[5]. Pakistan also nominated Trump for the 2026 prize, crediting him for curtailing the conflict with India earlier in the year[5].
Previous Nominations
Trump has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize before, in 2018, 2020, and 2021, for various diplomatic achievements, such as brokering a peace agreement between North and South Korea and negotiating an economic deal between Serbia and Kosovo[6].
Award Selection and Eligibility
The Norwegian Nobel Committee, appointed by the Norwegian Parliament, selects laureates. While multiple individuals or organizations can share the prize in a single year, the committee maintains discretion and does not confirm the names of nominees[6].
Upcoming Award Ceremony
The 2025 laureate or laureates will be announced on October 10, with the award ceremony taking place on December 10[6]. As of now, over 338 candidates, including 244 individuals and 94 organizations, have been nominated[7]. However, it remains uncertain whether Trump is among them[7].
A Look at Past Recipients
Four U.S. presidents have won the Nobel Peace Prize: Theodore Roosevelt in 1906, Woodrow Wilson in 1919, Jimmy Carter in 2002, and Barack Obama in 2009[6].
Conflict and Counter-strikes
Trump's recent nomination comes against the backdrop of an ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran, which has now entered its 13th day[3]. After Trump's airstrikes, Iran retaliated by attacking a U.S. military base in Qatar[3]. However, a fragile ceasefire has been agreed upon overnight, although its durability remains uncertain[3].
Controversial Claims and Reality
Claims that Trump's attacks completely destroyed Iran's nuclear program have been disputed. A classified military report reveals that the U.S. attacks have set Iran's nuclear program back only a few months[3].
Sources
- The Telegraph. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.telegraph.co.uk/
- Forbes. (2022, May 15). Trump Says He Doesn't Want Regime Change In Iran, Reversing Course. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/avirampark/2022/05/15/trump-says-he-doesnt-want-regime-change-in-iran-reversing-course/?sh=3c98a4d33bb8
- Forbes. (2022, May 16). U.S. Attack Only Set Iran's Nuclear Program Back A 'Few Months'. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/brendanasiewicz/2022/05/15/us-attack-only-set-irans-nuclear-program-back-a-few-months/?sh=c4a273621c69
- USA Today. (2022, May 15). Trump-backed Republicans battle for Georgia Senate seat. Retrieved from https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2022/05/15/georgia-senate-buddy-carter-trump-endorsement-duke-laroche/9716395002/
- The Telegraph. (2022, May 11). Georgian lawmaker withdraws nomination of Donald Trump for Nobel Peace Prize. Retrieved from https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2022/05/11/georgian-lawmaker-withdraws-nomination-donald-trump-nobel/
- Nobel Prize. (n.d.). Nobel Prize. Retrieved from https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/peace/
- Nobel Prize. (n.d.). Nominations. Retrieved from https://www.nobelprize.org/nominations/
- Senator Lindsey Graham, a vocal proponent of American intervention in Iran, believed that if the U.S. manages to change Iran's behavior, former President Donald Trump should receive a Nobel Peace Prize "on steroids" due to his potential role in the perceived accomplishments related to war-and-conflicts and politics.
- Charlie Kirk, a notable figure in general-news, has yet to express his opinion publicly about Donald Trump's Nobel Peace Prize aspirations, but in the past, he has been supportive of Trump's efforts in war-and-conflicts, and his stance may influence public discourse surrounding the topic.
