Nobel Peace Prize haunted by the 'spectre' of Trump

Donald Trump's prospects of winning the Nobel Peace Prize are considered slim, but his shadow will certainly loom over the Friday announcement of the winner in Oslo, according to experts. Since returning to the White House in January 2025, the former president has actively campaigned for the prize and expressed disappointment at not having received it yet.

His war against Iran, territorial ambitions, and attacks on international institutions and media cast doubt on his chances, yet the Nobel Committee remains under close scrutiny. The committee's choice may be interpreted as criticism of Trump, regardless of who they select. While the committee insists that lobbying and pressure attempts are commonplace, they must carefully consider the potential consequences of awarding the prize to someone like Trump.

Last year's recipient, Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, even presented Trump with her Nobel gold medal, though she did not seek his political support in return. The Nobel Committee may opt for a laureate with broad consensus, such as organizations working to protect children or humanitarian efforts like Save the Children and Mykola Kuleba, a Ukrainian children's rights activist.

Alternatively, the committee could choose a laureate that might anger Trump, such as the UN special rapporteur for the occupied Palestinian territories, Pope Leo XIV, or organizations advocating for press freedoms and international justice bodies like the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice. With 287 nominees, peace remains an elusive goal, but the Nobel Prize may be more relevant than ever in a world plagued by conflict and dominated by aggressive leaders.