Trump says he is no longer thinking ‘purely of peace’ after Nobel snub
When a global peace prize becomes the center of political drama, clarity matters. That’s exactly what the Norwegian Nobel Institute is trying to deliver after former U.S. President Donald Trump spent much of 2025 publicly lamenting his failure to win the Nobel Peace Prize.
In a rare and unusually candid move, the Institute is now “clearing the air” about how winners are chosen—hoping transparency will quiet accusations of bias and behind-the-scenes politics.
Why the Nobel Institute Is Speaking Out
In an interview with The Atlantic, Institute Director Kristian Berg Harpviken explained that the organization wants the public to better understand its principles and process. Without naming Trump directly, Harpviken referred to the “candidate in question” and emphasized that lobbying—aggressive or otherwise—does not sway decisions.
In simple terms: campaigning for the prize doesn’t help, and it doesn’t hurt either. The committee, he stressed, remains fiercely independent.
No backdoor pressure, no special treatment
Harpviken was clear that there have been no attempts by embassies or officials to influence the committee. The message was blunt but important for public trust: no knocking on doors, no political pressure, no shortcuts.
That independence was echoed by Norway’s prime minister Jonas Gahr Støre, who reiterated that any government interference with the Nobel Committee would be unacceptable—and potentially career-ending.
The White House Responds
Reacting to the renewed attention, White House spokesperson Anna Kelly told The Atlantic that Trump “deserves the Nobel Peace Prize many times over,” reinforcing how emotionally charged the issue has become.
Trump’s fixation went well beyond statements. Reports suggest he cold-called Norwegian diplomats, posted repeated complaints on social media, and even accepted a symbolic peace prize invented by FIFA ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
The Machado Moment—and the Clarification
The controversy peaked when Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, the actual Nobel Peace Prize laureate, handed Trump her medal during a White House visit. The Institute quickly issued a firm reminder: holding the medal does not make someone a Nobel winner. The honor, legally and symbolically, remains with the designated laureate alone.
Why This Matters
At its core, this episode highlights why transparency matters in global institutions. The Nobel Peace Prize derives its power not from politics, but from trust. By explaining how decisions are made—and how they are not—the Institute is drawing a clear line between merit and noise.
And in an age of relentless public scrutiny, that clarity may be its strongest defense.
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