Nobel Prize 2025: Trump Not in the Race for Nobel Peace Prize, 338 Global Nominees Compete
Despite his long-standing ambition to win the Nobel Peace Prize, US President Donald Trump has reportedly been eliminated from this year’s race. According to sources, Trump’s nomination for the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize was submitted after the official deadline, making it invalid.
This year, 338 contenders are in the running for the prestigious award, which will be announced on October 10 in Oslo. The Norwegian Nobel Committee, comprising five members appointed by the Norwegian Parliament, oversees the selection process. Members are usually, though not always, retired politicians. The current committee is chaired by the head of the Norwegian branch of PEN International, a global organization that promotes freedom of expression, alongside an academic and other political appointees representing the balance of power in Norway’s Parliament.
Who Can Win the Nobel Peace Prize?
Eligibility for the Nobel Peace Prize follows the conditions laid out in the 1895 will of Alfred Nobel, the Swedish industrialist and inventor of dynamite. The prize is awarded to the individual or organization that has done the most or best work for fraternity between nations, the reduction of standing armies, and the promotion of peace conferences.
According to Kristian Berg Harpviken, Secretary of the Nobel Peace Prize Committee, selecting the winner is always challenging. He said the decision is made in the context of current world events, global peace processes, and emerging international agreements. Harpviken can participate in discussions but does not vote on the final decision.
Who Can Nominate Candidates?
Thousands of individuals worldwide are eligible to nominate candidates. These include heads of state, members of governments and parliaments, university professors of law, history, social sciences, and philosophy, and previous Nobel Peace Prize laureates.
The full list of 338 nominees for 2025 remains classified for 50 years, though some candidates publicly reveal their nominations. Among the known names this year are members of the International Criminal Court, NATO, Hong Kong activist Chow Hang Tung, and Canadian human rights lawyer Irwin Cotler.
How the Nobel Peace Committee Makes Its Decision
Nominations close each year on January 31. Committee members can add names during their first meeting in February. Afterward, a shortlist is created, and each candidate undergoes evaluation by permanent advisers and experts. The committee meets monthly, and a decision is typically reached in August or September—preferably by consensus, though voting may occur.
The last major controversy occurred in 1994, when a member resigned after the Nobel Peace Prize was jointly awarded to Yasser Arafat, Shimon Peres, and Yitzhak Rabin for their Middle East peace efforts.
Trump’s Nomination Disqualified
Leaders from Cambodia, Israel, and Pakistan reportedly nominated Donald Trump, but their submissions were made after the January 31 deadline, during the spring and summer. As a result, these nominations are invalid for the 2025 prize.
Experts suggest Trump could only become a serious contender in future years if his policies align more closely with global peace and cooperation, areas the committee highly values. Instead, the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize could go to a humanitarian organization, journalist group, or UN body, or possibly a surprise nominee.
Last year, in 2024, the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Nihon Hidankyo, a group representing Japanese atomic bomb survivors, recognizing their tireless campaign against nuclear weapons.
The Nobel Peace Prize 2025 will be announced at 09:00 GMT (2:30 PM IST) on Friday, October 10, at the Norwegian Nobel Institute in Oslo. The award includes a gold medal, a diploma, and $1.19 million (approximately ₹10 crore) in prize money.
