California Congressman Nominates Trump For Nobel Peace Prize
Since taking office for the second time, President Trump has caused both concern and excitement amongst the different political parties.
On Friday, Trump refused to sign a rare earth and critical minerals deal with Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy after a heated argument involving JD Vance, and on Tuesday, 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada took into effect.
Last night, Trump addressed Congress, defending his actions, blaming former President Biden for problems such as inflation, and receiving opposing reactions from the Republicans versus the Democrats.
And just this week, President Trump has been nomianted for a Nobel Peace Prize.
What is the Nobel Peace Prize?
The Nobel Peace Prize is an award given to a person or an organization that work to promote peace and resolve conflict - it is one of the most prestigious awards in the world.
It's awarded through a commitee elected by the Norwegian Parliament, who deliberate and vote in secret. Many people can be eligible to win a Nobel Peace Prize, including, members of the government and national assemblies, members of the International Court of Justice and the Permanent Court of Arbitration, academics in field such as history, law, philosophy, social sciences, and theology, as well as previous recipients of the prize.
It's not abnormal for a president to be nominated or even win a Nobel Peace Prize.
Who Has Won a Nobel Peace Prize?
In 1906, Theodore Roosevelt won the prize for his efforts to end the Russo-Japanese war.
In 1920, Woodrow Wilson won for his efforts in ending the first World War and for helping to create the League of Nations.
In 2002, Jimmy Carter won the Nobel Peace Prize for his work to promote human rights, democracy, economic and social development, and to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts.
In 2007, former Vice President Al Gore won for his efforts to gain and spread more knowledge about climate change.
In 2009, Barack Obama won for his efforts to strengthen international diplomacy.
In 2025, President Trump has been nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize for efforts on the 2019 Abraham Accords between Israel and the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, but it doesn't come without criticism. Many people believe he's undeserving of such a prestigious award.
He was also nominated in in 2020 by Norwegian politican, Christian Tybring-Gjedde, and in 2023 by Rep. Claudia Tenney, R-New York.
However, last year's prize was ultimately awarded to the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations "for its efforts to achieve a world free of nuclear weapons and for demonstrating through witness testimony that nuclear weapons must never be used again."
Who Nominated Trump For a Nobel Peace Prize?
Republican Representative, Darrell Issa from California's 48th Congressional District is who nominated Trump for a Nobel Peace Prize.
The dealine to nominate candidates for 2025 was January 31st, so if he were to win, it would likely be in 2026.
Issa announced through a post on X that he would be nominating the president for the prize. Although he did not specify why, Issa's spokesperson said what he saw as Trump's efforts to ease tensions, foster dialogue and promote freedom around the world in pursuit of peace.
"Congressman Issa recently led a Codel [Congressional delegation] to four Middle East nations. He observed first-hand and from several heads of state that the spirit of peace and moving away from conflict is real and multilateral," Wilcox said.
"From the time of his election and after being sworn in, President Trump has inspired and promoted the cause of peace—and in a way we have not heard in many years."
Mixed Reactions
Some Trump allies have expressed their support of Trump winning the Nobel Peace Prize. Such as Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Trump's nominee to be his United Nations ambassador, New York Representative Elise Stefanik, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz.
Waltz stated, "By the end of this all, we're going to have the Nobel Prize sitting next to the name of Donald J. Trump."
Not everyone is in support of Trump winning the Nobel Peace Prize. National Security Advisor, John Bolton, argued that Trump didn't deserve the prize. He also added neither did Obama.
Christian Tybring-Gjedde, who nominated Trump in 2020, has doubted his chance of winning, saying his diplomatic approach has concerned European leaders.
What Are His Chances?
Trump's chances of winning will depend heavily on a few factors. The first of which whether he can end the fighting in Ukraine. After his meeting with Zelensky last Friday, that chance is seeming farther away.
Trump's advisors also believe his chances of winning depend on whether he can help end the war in Gaza and obtain a peace deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia that would include a breakthrough toward a Palenstinian state.
However, Trump's current plan to end the war in Gaza is to relocate almost 2 million Palestinians to "better housing" in Egypt or Jordan, both of which have not supported the idea.
Either way, Trump still believes he deserves to win a Nobel Peace Prize.
"I deserve it, but they would never give it to me," he told reporters during an Oval Office meeting with Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu last month.
The 2025 Nobel Peace Prize winner will be announced in October.