The White House accused the Nobel Committee of prioritizing “politics over peace” after awarding the Nobel Peace Prize to Venezuelan pro-democracy activist María Corina Machado instead of U.S. President Donald Trump.
On Friday, the Nobel Committee announced that Machado would receive the Nobel Peace Prize for her “tireless work promoting democratic rights for the people of Venezuela.”
Trump, who has frequently expressed his desire to win the Nobel Peace Prize, took credit for brokering several international agreements and ending global conflicts. The president raised the issue again during his September address to the United Nations General Assembly.
A senior White House official told CBS News that Trump called Machado to congratulate her, saying she “deserved the award.”
White House Criticizes Nobel Committee
White House Communications Director Steven Cheung blasted the Nobel Committee following the announcement.
“The Nobel Committee proved they place politics over peace,” Cheung said Friday.
“President Trump will continue making peace deals, ending wars, and saving lives,” he added in a post on X, formerly Twitter. “He has the heart of a humanitarian, and there will never be anyone like him who can move mountains with the sheer force of his will.”
The administration cited Trump’s role in securing a multi-stage ceasefire agreement in Gaza just two days before the Nobel Peace Prize announcement. Trump has also claimed credit for ending several global conflicts both during his current and previous terms.
Following the Gaza ceasefire announcement, Trump declared, “Blessed are the peacemakers,” while the White House called him “the peace president.”
Global Leaders React to Nobel Peace Prize
Trump’s long-standing ambition for a Nobel Peace Prize has often been mentioned by foreign leaders hoping to strengthen ties with Washington. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and others have publicly said Trump deserves the prestigious award.
Russian President Vladimir Putin offered a muted response, saying the Nobel Prize had “lost credibility.” Trump thanked Putin on Truth Social, writing, “Thank you to President Putin!” alongside a video of the Russian leader’s comments.
Machado later praised Trump on X, writing, “I dedicate this prize to the suffering people of Venezuela and to President Trump for his decisive support of our cause!” Trump reposted her message on his Truth Social account.
Trump’s Eligibility and Nobel Rules
Despite the praise, Trump faced logistical hurdles this year. Nominations for the Nobel Peace Prize close annually on Jan. 31 — just days after Trump took office for his second term. The Nobel Committee reviews nominations between February and September.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, then a U.S. senator, was among several lawmakers who nominated Machado in August 2024.
It remains unclear what specific achievements could have qualified Trump for this year’s award. The war in Ukraine continues despite his calls for peace between Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Vladimir Putin, and the Gaza ceasefire remains in its early stages.
Critics Question Trump’s Record
In his second term, Trump has pursued an “America First” agenda, reshaping the country’s foreign policy and global influence.
Soon after taking office, adviser Elon Musk oversaw the dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), which had long provided humanitarian aid around the world.
The Nobel Committee says its Peace Prize recognizes work that advances “arms control and disarmament, peace negotiation, democracy, human rights, and a more peaceful world.”
Critics argue that Trump’s immigration policies — including mass deportations and the use of National Guard troops in U.S. cities — run counter to those principles. Federal judges have repeatedly challenged his domestic troop deployments, and human rights groups have condemned his record on immigration enforcement.
U.S. Presidents and the Nobel Peace Prize
Four American presidents have previously received the Nobel Peace Prize: Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, Jimmy Carter, and Barack Obama.
