US President Donald Trump on Wednesday stated that he deserves the Nobel Peace Prize, while openly acknowledging uncertainty about whether the Norwegian Nobel Committee would select him. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office on 7 October 2026, just two days before the announcement of the 2026 award, Trump renewed a claim he has made repeatedly since returning to the White House.
“I don’t know what their decision is going to be,” he said. “They have a reputation for maybe not giving it to people like me.”
A Familiar Claim Renewed
Since the beginning of his second term, Trump has frequently argued that his foreign policy record qualifies him for the world’s most prestigious peace award. On this occasion he told reporters that “it is about that time,” framing the approaching announcement as an opportunity for recognition of his efforts.
He pointed to what he described as his role in resolving multiple conflicts since taking office. “I’ve done stuff that nobody else has ever done. I’m not bragging, I’m just telling you the facts. No president has probably ever settled any wars. I settled eight wars,” Trump said. He maintained that this record set him apart from previous presidents and justified the honour.
Reference to an Earlier Gesture
Trump also recalled receiving the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize medal from Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado earlier in the year. Machado had presented him with the medal during a White House meeting, stating that she believed he deserved the recognition more than she did. Trump described the moment as an indirect honour and cited her words as validation of his claim.
Although Nobel rules do not permit the formal transfer of the prize, Trump has repeatedly referenced the gesture in public remarks as evidence of broader support for his candidacy.
Expressions of Doubt
Despite his assertive tone, Trump conceded that the committee might pass him over. He suggested that the Norwegian Nobel Committee has a pattern of overlooking figures like himself. “Whether I get it or not, I have done far more,” he added, arguing that a decision against him would reflect poorly on the committee given the scale of the conflicts he claims to have addressed.
The remarks came as the committee prepared to announce the 2026 laureate on Friday in Oslo. Nominations are confidential, though leaders from several countries have publicly stated that they put forward Trump’s name. There is no independent verification of those claims.
The Broader Context
Trump’s second-term foreign policy has been marked by active involvement in several international disputes. He has claimed credit for helping to de-escalate or resolve tensions in various regions. At the same time, major conflicts remain unresolved. The war in Ukraine continues without a comprehensive peace agreement, and the United States has been engaged in military action involving Iran.
Critics note that some of the situations Trump cites as resolved have seen renewed fighting or remain disputed by the parties involved. Supporters argue that his willingness to engage directly and apply pressure has produced results that traditional diplomacy had failed to achieve.
The Nobel Peace Prize has a long history of recognising both completed peace processes and efforts aimed at preventing conflict or advancing disarmament. Past recipients have included sitting presidents, activists, and organisations. The committee’s criteria emphasise lasting contributions to peace rather than short-term diplomatic interventions.
Public Reaction and Political Dimension
Trump’s latest comments fit a pattern of public advocacy for the award that began in his first term and intensified after his return to office. The statements often serve dual purposes: asserting a legacy of peacemaking and questioning the impartiality of international institutions that have not recognised him.
The timing, immediately ahead of the official announcement, ensures the claim receives global attention regardless of the eventual outcome. For Trump, the narrative of deserving recognition while expecting institutional resistance has become a recurring theme.
What Comes Next
The Norwegian Nobel Committee will reveal its decision on 9 October 2026. Whatever the outcome, Trump has already positioned the result within his broader political messaging. If awarded, it would stand as formal international validation of his self-described record. If not, he has prepared the ground to portray the decision as consistent with a committee reluctant to honour leaders of his profile.
In either case, the remarks underline how the Nobel Peace Prize continues to function not only as an honour but also as a point of political contestation. Trump’s insistence that he deserves the prize, paired with his open doubt that he will receive it, captures both his confidence in his foreign policy achievements and his scepticism toward the institutions that judge them.
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