Hours before the announcement of this year’s Nobel Peace Prize, US President Donald Trump launched a sharp critique of former President Barack Obama, asserting that Obama received the award “for doing nothing” and for “destroying our country.” Trump, speaking to reporters, described Obama as “not a good president” and questioned the rationale behind awarding him the Peace Prize just months into his presidency.
Trump contrasted Obama’s Nobel recognition with his own record, highlighting his recent role in brokering a ceasefire in Gaza and claiming credit for ending “eight wars.” He insisted, however, that his motivation was not driven by awards, emphasizing that his focus had been on achieving tangible global peace outcomes.
Obama had been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2009, just eight months into his first term, with the Norwegian Nobel Committee citing his “extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples.” Trump’s comments underscore his longstanding skepticism about the early award to Obama and his belief that his own diplomatic efforts have been undervalued.
The announcement of the 2025 Peace Prize was scheduled for 5 am EST in Oslo. Ahead of it, Trump has actively campaigned to influence the Peace Research Institute Oslo, which serves an advisory role in the Nobel selection process.
While the Institute acknowledged Trump’s involvement in negotiating the Gaza truce, Director Nina Graeger noted that it is “too early to tell whether the peace proposal will be implemented and lead to lasting peace.” Analysts also caution that, despite Trump’s assertions, the full impact of his diplomatic initiatives in Gaza and elsewhere remains uncertain and contingent on unfolding developments.
Trump’s statements, delivered just hours before the announcement, not only reignite his rivalry with Obama but also frame the ongoing discourse around his own global peace credentials in the context of the prestigious award.
