The Nobel Peace Prize committee has made its decision — and once again, President Donald Trump is not on the list.
Despite a months-long push, growing speculation, and multiple international nominations, the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize went instead to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado. That alone stirred headlines. But it was the committee’s explanation — or lack thereof — that has people raising eyebrows.
When asked directly about Trump’s absence, Nobel Committee chairman Jørgen Watne Frydnes offered a carefully worded response, saying only that the prize goes to the candidate whose work aligns most closely with the will of Alfred Nobel. He didn’t mention Trump’s name once.
He did, however, emphasize that the selection is about “courage and integrity,” and noted that the committee receives “thousands and thousands” of letters every year from people around the world recommending candidates.
But here’s what he didn’t say — why a president who helped negotiate a ceasefire in Gaza, orchestrated hostage releases, and was nominated by leaders across four continents didn’t make the final cut.
The committee instead chose to honor Machado for her work promoting democracy in Venezuela and for her personal sacrifices under a regime accused of political oppression.
Machado’s story is undoubtedly compelling. She has remained in the country despite threats, arrest attempts, and disqualification from elections she was projected to win. Her leadership, the committee says, “inspired millions.” That’s a powerful statement — and few would deny the risk she’s taken.
JUST IN: Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Corina Machado DEDICATES her prize to President Trump
“I dedicate this prize to the suffering people of Venezuela and to President Trump for his decisive support of our cause!”
“We are on the threshold of victory and today, more than… pic.twitter.com/u0mimYBD46
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) October 10, 2025
JUST IN: Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Corina Machado DEDICATES her prize to President TrumpBut back in the U.S., the White House response was swift. “The Nobel Committee proved they place politics over peace,” said Steven Cheung, Trump’s communications director. He added that Trump will “continue making peace deals around the world, ending wars, and saving lives,” Nobel medal or not.
Trump, who is serving his second term in office after his 2024 reelection, had pointed to his 20-point Gaza peace plan as proof of his efforts to end major global conflicts. The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas — part of that same plan — was announced just as the Nobel decision became public.
It wasn’t just Trump’s allies pushing his nomination. Over the years, he’s been nominated more than ten times — by figures ranging from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to lawmakers from the U.S., Sweden, Norway, Cambodia, and Ukraine.
Even so, nominations are not guarantees. And the Nobel Committee never reveals its shortlist before the official winner is named.
President Putin responds to President Trump not winning the Nobel Peace Prize:
“This award lost credibility. The committee discussed the prize for people who have done nothing for the world.”
“He solves complex problems, crises that last for decades.”
pic.twitter.com/fQjiKYuiMMShould the Nobel Peace Prize committee have awarded Trump for his peace efforts?— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) October 10, 2025
There’s also the fine print: nominations for this year’s award closed at the end of January — shortly after Trump returned to the White House, and long before the Gaza deal was finalized. So even if the ceasefire ends a devastating war, it technically falls outside the 2024 window considered for the 2025 prize.
That hasn’t stopped supporters from venting frustration — or from spreading an AI-generated image showing Netanyahu handing Trump a Nobel medal. It’s not real, of course, but it’s been shared thousands of times as a kind of digital protest.
Never forget…
They gave the Nobel Peace Prize to Obama for being Obama.
Frauds giving other frauds their fraudulent awards.
President Trump is actually bringing peace to the world and got snubbed.
But for President Trump Peace is the Prize. pic.twitter.com/MAoS04ydsi
— C3 (@C_3C_3) October 10, 2025
• Donald Trump ended 8 Wars in a Single Year
Guess which one received the Nobel Peace Prize? pic.twitter.com/YnHlWixDUU
— Alec Lace (@AlecLace) October 9, 2025
The Nobel Committee, meanwhile, is sticking to its usual silence. No interviews. No detailed breakdown. Just one name, one winner, and a whole lot of questions.
Whether the snub will impact Trump remains to be seen. But it’s already reignited debate about whether the world’s most famous peace prize is truly about peace… or something else entirely.
