“Sorry Trump, but not this time.”
That’s pretty much what the Nobel Committee told former U.S. President Donald Trump this week — when the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize went instead to Venezuela’s opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, recognized “for her tireless work promoting democratic rights for the people of Venezuela and for her struggle to achieve a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy.”
While the world congratulated Machado, Trump’s camp was, well… not thrilled. After all, he’s claimed (more than once) that he ended eight wars. So why didn’t that score him the world’s most prestigious peace prize?
Let’s break it down.
Trump Really Wanted That Nobel — Badly
Donald Trump has been manifesting a Nobel Peace Prize since his early presidency. He’s publicly demanded it at least 10 times, often suggesting he deserved it more than Barack Obama — who, btw, got one in 2009, less than eight months after taking office.
Trump probably saw himself as next in line to join the “Nobel President Club” that includes Obama, Jimmy Carter, Woodrow Wilson, and Theodore Roosevelt. But unlike them, his peace credentials didn’t quite convince Oslo.
The “8 Wars” Claim — Fact or Fiction?
Trump loves a good list. He’s repeatedly said he “ended eight wars” involving:
Israel and Iran
Rwanda and DR Congo
Armenia and Azerbaijan
Thailand and Cambodia
India and Pakistan
Egypt and Ethiopia
Serbia and Kosovo
Rwanda and Gabon
Sounds impressive — but fact-checkers quickly called cap.
Many of these conflicts were either already inactive, resolved regionally, or not directly influenced by U.S. diplomacy under Trump.
So, Why Didn’t Trump Win?
According to Norwegian and international experts, five key factors went against him:
The Gaza deal came too late.
The committee had already finalized its decision before the Israel–Gaza ceasefire announcement.
Short-term optics, not lasting peace.
Nobel panels prefer sustained, multilateral efforts — not quick “photo-op” wins.
Paris & WHO exits = bad vibes.
Withdrawing from the Paris Climate Accord and the World Health Organization didn’t exactly scream “global cooperation.”
The Putin factor.
Trump’s visible admiration for Russian President Vladimir Putin clashed with Nobel’s core ideals of promoting democracy and disarmament.
Style over substance.
The Nobel Committee often rewards quiet, consistent diplomacy — not high-volume, self-congratulatory claims.
As one historian bluntly put it: “The Nobel Committee doesn’t reward people who announce peace on Twitter.”
Why Maria Corina Machado Deserved It — According to the Nobel Committee
The Norwegian Nobel Committee said Maria Corina Machado was awarded the 2025 Peace Prize “for her tireless work promoting democratic rights for the people of Venezuela and for her struggle to achieve a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy.”
The committee noted that her efforts represented “the power of non-violent resistance” and “the courage of those who fight for freedom under oppressive regimes.”
Observers in Oslo highlighted that Machado’s work stood out because it embodied the kind of sustained, grassroots peace-building that aligns closely with Alfred Nobel’s original vision — one focused on democracy, human rights, and durable peace, rather than short-term political outcomes.
Her recognition, according to Nobel watchers, reflects a broader pattern of rewarding individuals who strengthen democratic institutions through non-violent means, often at personal risk and without the backing of state power.
Can Trump Still Win a Nobel Someday?
Maybe. Experts say if any of his diplomatic efforts — like the Abraham Accords — prove to have lasting impact, he could still be considered in future years.
But for now, his track record looks more like a political marketing pitch than a peace legacy.
The Bigger Picture
The Nobel Peace Prize isn’t about who shouts “peace” the loudest — it’s about who builds it quietly, patiently, and sustainably.
In that sense, Maria Corina Machado’s win isn’t just Venezuela’s story — it’s a reminder that real peace takes courage, not just claims.