US President Donald Trump’s desire to win the Nobel Peace Prize in October faces a significant hurdle, as the Norwegian Nobel Committee asserts its independence and insists it won’t be swayed by Trump’s campaign. Since his return to the White House in January, Trump has expressed his ambition to receive this prestigious award. Notably, his Democratic rival Barack Obama won the prize shortly after taking office in 2009.
Trump has frequently stated that he deserves the Nobel Peace Prize, citing his efforts to end six wars. However, conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine continue to rage. Several foreign leaders, including Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu and Azerbaijan’s Ilham Aliyev, have nominated or supported Trump’s nomination. But nominations for this year’s prize had to be submitted by 31 January, just 11 days after Trump took office.
The Nobel Committee’s Process
Kristian Berg Harpviken, the secretary of the committee, emphasized that media attention towards particular candidates does not influence their discussions. The committee evaluates each nominee based on their individual merits. This year, the winner will be chosen from a longlist of 338 individuals and organizations, which remains secret for 50 years. The committee relies on expert evaluations and aims to avoid undue influence from any campaign.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee operates independently of party politics and the sitting government. For instance, it awarded the 2010 prize to Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo despite discreet warnings from the Norwegian government. This decision led to a diplomatic freeze between Beijing and Oslo that lasted for years. Kristian Berg Harpviken reiterated that the committee cannot allow external considerations to affect its decisions.
Trump’s Unlikely Chances
Experts in Norway believe that Trump’s “America First” policy contrasts sharply with the multilateralism advocated by Alfred Nobel, the prize’s creator. Halvard Leira, research director at the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI), suggested that pressure from Trump could be counterproductive. If the committee were to award Trump the prize, it might be accused of compromising its independence. In August, three Nobel historians argued against awarding Trump the prize, citing his admiration for Russian leader Vladimir Putin and the ongoing war in Ukraine.
In summary, while Donald Trump continues to push for the Nobel Peace Prize, the Norwegian Nobel Committee remains steadfast in its independence and commitment to a fair and unbiased selection process.
