On Friday, October 10, 2025, the world watched as the Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded its most prestigious honor, the Nobel Peace Prize, to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado. Her recognition for championing democracy and human rights in Venezuela became a global headline, but it was the absence of another name—former U.S. President Donald Trump—that fueled days of political debate, speculation, and, for some, disappointment.
Machado’s victory was described by many as a triumph for civil courage. As reported by The Hill, Jørgen Watne Frydnes, chair of the five-member Nobel Committee, praised Machado as “one of the most extraordinary examples of civilian courage” in Latin America in recent years. He highlighted her unwavering commitment to “a just and peaceful transition” away from dictatorship, noting her decision to remain in Venezuela despite threats to her safety. Machado herself, in a moment of humility, stated, “This is an achievement of a whole society. I am just, you know, one person. I certainly do not deserve this.”
Machado’s path to the Nobel was anything but smooth. According to The Hill, she has been a central figure in opposing Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s crackdown on democratic institutions, free elections, and a free press. Last year, Machado went into hiding, fearing for her life, and was briefly detained during a public appearance in January. The Nobel Committee cited her years-long advocacy for free and fair elections, judicial independence, and human rights as the basis for her selection.
While Machado’s recognition was widely celebrated, it was Donald Trump’s relentless campaign for the same prize that drew equal, if not greater, attention. Trump’s pursuit of the Nobel Peace Prize dates back at least to 2018, but his efforts intensified during his second term, culminating in a high-profile, public lobbying effort throughout 2025. As TIME reported, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on October 9, 2025, “I know this: that nobody in history has solved eight wars in a period of nine months. And I’ve stopped eight wars. So that’s never happened before.”
Despite Trump’s bold claims, the Nobel Committee remained unmoved. Frydnes emphasized that their decision was “solely based on the work and will of Alfred Nobel,” dismissing the unprecedented lobbying efforts and thousands of letters received in support of various contenders. The panel’s independence, he insisted, was sacrosanct.
Trump’s campaign for the prize was not just a matter of personal pride. According to The New Republic, he and his team aggressively sought endorsements from world leaders, with the rulers of countries like Pakistan, Israel, Guinea-Bissau, Gabon, Azerbaijan, and Armenia publicly stating their support for his Nobel candidacy. In August 2025, Trump even called Norway’s finance minister, Jens Stoltenberg, to directly request the prize. World leaders appeared to recognize that supporting Trump’s Nobel ambitions could curry favor with the White House.
The White House, for its part, did little to temper expectations. On October 10, 2025, communications director Steven Cheung posted on X (formerly Twitter), “President Trump will continue making peace deals, ending wars, and saving lives. 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.” Cheung went further, accusing the Nobel Committee of “plac[ing] politics over peace,” a sentiment that seemed to echo Trump’s own longstanding grievances with international recognition.
Trump’s fixation on the Nobel Peace Prize was, in many ways, personal. TIME noted that his desire for the accolade was fueled by a deep-seated resentment over former President Barack Obama’s 2009 win. Trump repeatedly referenced the slight, saying things like, “They won’t give me a Nobel Peace Prize because they only give it to liberals.” On Thursday, October 9, 2025, Trump attempted to preempt the rejection, stating, “Whatever they do is fine. I know this, I didn’t do it for that. I did it because I saved a lot of lives.”
Yet, the Nobel Committee’s decision came at a time when Trump’s diplomatic efforts were making headlines. As The Hill detailed, a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas began on October 10, 2025, marking the first phase of a peace plan brokered by Trump. The plan included Israel withdrawing from most of Gaza, Hamas releasing hostages, and Israel freeing about 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. Trump announced that he expected the release of hostages by Monday or Tuesday of the following week and was scheduled to address Israel’s Knesset on Sunday, October 12, 2025. About 200 American military personnel were deployed to Israel to help oversee the ceasefire’s implementation.
The Nobel Committee’s process itself is shrouded in secrecy. There were 338 nominees for the 2025 prize—244 individuals and 94 organizations. The names of nominees and shortlists are not made public for 50 years after the award, a policy designed to shield the process from outside influence and political pressure.
Trump’s supporters, both at home and abroad, argued that his efforts in the Middle East, especially the Israel-Hamas ceasefire, merited recognition. The White House dubbed him “the peace president,” and even some Democrats offered cautious praise for the peace plan’s early stages. Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin told CNN, “We’re at the earliest stages of a proposed peace plan. I want it to work. Let’s watch and see.”
Despite the diplomatic breakthrough, the Nobel Committee’s rules and timeline presented a practical hurdle for Trump’s candidacy. The nomination deadline for the 2025 prize was January 31, just days into Trump’s second term, meaning most of his touted achievements occurred after nominations closed. As a result, even if the committee had been swayed by Trump’s peace efforts, they were not eligible for consideration this year.
Trump’s disappointment was palpable but not unexpected. As TIME observed, he had long anticipated a snub, likening his Nobel frustrations to his lack of Emmy wins for The Apprentice. For a man accustomed to self-promotion and accolades—real or manufactured—the Nobel Peace Prize remained stubbornly out of reach.
As the dust settles, the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize stands as a testament to the courage of María Corina Machado and the resilience of those fighting for democracy in Venezuela. For Trump, the episode is another chapter in a career marked by both extraordinary ambition and controversy, leaving the world to ponder the evolving meaning of peace, recognition, and leadership on the global stage.
