The Monocle Daily

Does Donald Trump deserve a Nobel Peace Prize?

Jul 8, 2025
Lynn O'Donnell, a columnist for Foreign Policy and former Kabul bureau chief, joins Petri Bertsoff, Monocle's Helsinki correspondent, to explore the absurdity of Donald Trump's Nobel Peace Prize nomination. They discuss the implications of such nominations amidst ongoing global crises. The conversation shifts to the troubling decline of the Ottawa Treaty on landmines and its consequences for Ukraine, along with an unexpected discussion on tourism's effects on local cultures in major cities.
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INSIGHT

The Truth Behind Trump's Nobel Peace Prize Obsession

Donald Trump's repeated nominations for the Nobel Peace Prize are driven largely by ego and political pandering rather than solid peace achievements. His claims hinge on credits like the Abraham Accords and recent attempts to mediate conflicts, but these are overshadowed by controversial deals such as the Taliban agreement and associations with figures facing war crimes charges.

Experts argue many of his so-called peace achievements are short-lived or superficial. His persistent public craving for the award may actually harm his chances, despite some believing he could win purely due to political votes. The complexity of ongoing conflicts, such as Israel and Gaza, further complicates any lasting peace credit.

This segment outlines the tension between Trump's desire for recognition and the realities of international diplomacy, highlighting how peace prizes often reflect political maneuvering rather than pure peacemaking.

INSIGHT

Trump's Peace Prize Nominations

  • Donald Trump's Nobel Peace Prize nominations are often politically motivated and lack genuine merit.
  • The nominations seem to pander to his ego rather than recognize substantial peace achievements.
INSIGHT

Assessing Trump's Peace Claims

  • Trump's claims for a Nobel relate mainly to the Abraham Accords and other tentative peace talks.
  • However, these are offset by controversial deals like the Taliban agreement and associations with leaders under war crime indictments.
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