Netanyahu Nominates Trump for Future Nobel Peace Prize

Netanyahu hands Trump a folder during their White House meeting.

Former US President Donald Trump has once again been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize—this time by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

During a meeting on Monday, Netanyahu personally handed Trump a letter confirming that he had recommended him for the prestigious honour, addressed to the Norwegian Nobel Committee.

Trump has previously been nominated multiple times by US lawmakers and international politicians. In 2018, a group of Republican members of the US House of Representatives and two Norwegian lawmakers nominated him for his efforts to ease nuclear tensions with North Korea. He was again nominated for the 2021 prize by both a Norwegian and a Swedish politician, citing his role in brokering agreements in the Middle East.

However, not all nominations have been legitimate. In 2018, the Norwegian Nobel Committee confirmed that at least two of Trump’s nominations were submitted by someone using a stolen identity.

Nobel Peace Prize nominations can only be submitted by a select group of individuals and organisations, including national-level politicians, university professors, foreign policy experts, past Nobel laureates, and members of the Norwegian Nobel Committee. Self-nomination is strictly prohibited.

The nomination process is highly secretive. While nominators may choose to make their submissions public, the Nobel Committee does not disclose the names of nominees or discuss deliberations for at least 50 years. Each year, nominations must be submitted by February 1. Since Netanyahu’s recommendation came after this year’s deadline, it would be considered for the 2026 prize.

Winners are traditionally announced in October, with the awards ceremony held on December 10, the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death. The Peace Prize is the only one presented in Oslo, while other Nobel prizes in science, literature, and economics are awarded in Stockholm.

According to Alfred Nobel’s will, the Peace Prize is meant to honour those who “shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies, and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses.”

Trump would be following in the footsteps of other American presidents who have received the award. Barack Obama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2009, just nine months into his presidency—an honour that sparked debate within the US. Jimmy Carter received the prize in 2002 for his diplomatic work after leaving office.

The outcome of Netanyahu’s nomination remains unknown, but it adds to Trump’s growing list of endorsements for one of the world’s most recognised accolades.