During his second term, President Trump has actively sought the Nobel Peace Prize. Following the recent agreement between Israel and Hamas regarding the initial steps of Trump’s peace proposal, both the president and allies, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have intensified their efforts.
The Nobel Peace Prize was first awarded in 1901 to Frédéric Passy from France and Sweden’s Jean-Henri Dunant. To date, it has been presented to four American presidents: Barack Obama in 2009, Jimmy Carter in 2002, and Theodore Roosevelt in 1906.
Here are five important points to consider about the Nobel Peace Prize in light of this Friday’s announcement of this year’s recipients.
When is the deadline for candidacy?
According to the Nobel Peace Prize website, individuals can propose candidates until January 31. After that, recommendations are sent to the Nobel Committee by mid-February, which then compiles a final candidate list. By the end of April, the committee’s advisors will provide a report on this shortlist.
Following that period, the committee will narrow down the nominees until the end of September to a select few.
Who can nominate?
Active organizations and living individuals can submit nominations, typically through an online form on the award’s website. For the 2025 award, a total of 244 individuals and 94 organizations have put forth nominations.
During the committee’s first meeting post-deadline, members can also suggest their nominees.
Who decides the winner?
The Norwegian Nobel Committee, consisting of five members appointed by the Norwegian parliament, makes the final decision. These commissioners serve six-year terms and cannot hold government positions.
The committee includes human rights activist Jørgen Watne Fridnes, foreign policy expert Asul Torje, former Prime Minister Anne Enger, former Minister of Education Christine Kremme, and former Foreign Minister Glei Larsen. Mr. Fridnes will chair the committee, while Mr. Tozier will act as vice-chair.
Who nominated Trump?
Several political figures have nominated the president for the Nobel Peace Prize, but these endorsements came after the January 31 deadline.
In June, the Pakistani government put Trump forward after facilitating a ceasefire between India and Pakistan in May. Netanyahu visited Trump in July and handed him a letter nominating him for the award following the U.S. mediation of a ceasefire between Israel and Iran. Support also came from Argentina’s President Javier Millei, with further backing from Israeli leaders last Thursday.
Additionally, on Wednesday, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) sent a letter to the committee endorsing Trump. Other Republican Representatives, Buddy Carter from Georgia and Darrell Issa from California, also nominated him in June and March, respectively.
Is Trump eligible for the award in 2025?
Yes, any living individual can be considered.
If he wins, Trump will be the fifth U.S. president to receive this honor—marking the first time since Obama. Notable world leaders who have held the prize include Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in 2019, former South African President Nelson Mandela in 1993, and former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev in 1990.
