On July 10, 2025, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt posted the following on X:
Trump deserves Nobel Peace Prize. He's achieved more than those who've won before.
Along with the post, Leavitt posted a link to an opinion article entitled "Trump deserves Nobel Peace Prize. He's achieved more than those who've won before. | Opinion" recently published by USA Today.
In the op-ed, author Nicole Russell (an opinion columnist for USA Today) says "If Trump isn't a peacemaker, then who is?" Russell backs up her claim by stating:
- With a single military strike, Trump has helped end an escalating war between Israel and Iran
- Trump is pressing for a lengthy ceasefire between Israel and Hamas
- Trump has worked to end the war between Russia and Ukraine
- Trump helped to settle recent tensions between Pakistan and India
Source:
Leavitt, Karoline. (July 10, 2025). "Karoline Leavitt | X". X. Retrieved 2025-07-13.
Russell, Nicole. "Trump deserves Nobel Peace Prize. He's achieved more than those who've won before. | Opinion". USA Today. Retrieved 2025-07-13.
Commentary:
In a previous HWR post entitled "Op-Ed | On the 4th of July Donald Trump Chooses Divisiveness Over Unity" I noted hateful, divisive statements Trump recently made on July 4. How does Trump saying he "hates" Democrats and that Democrats "hate our country" qualify him for anything related to peace? What he said is the exact opposite of peace. It's pitting conservatives and liberals against each other and fanning the flames of political division.
And what about the vast, ongoing and ever-growing list of other divisive, incendiary statements Trump makes all the time about anyone who has a different opinion, or who he sees as a political enemy? Is that the kind of person who should receive the Nobel Peace Prize?
Regarding Nicole Russell's article, to say that the recent military strikes conducted against Iran's nuclear facilities are associated with peace is a farce (as is the Trump administration's claim of "peace through strength").
Trump commanded the U.S. military to drop huge, high-powered bombs on a sovereign nation - a nation that poses no military threat to the U.S. And while it's true that the operation has set Iran's nuclear program back, countries like China and Russia view the strikes as just another example of U.S. aggression.
Russia "strongly condemned" the strikes, calling them "irresponsible" and a "gross violation of international law." Seeing this type of aggression, surely now Russian President Vladimir Putin is even more paranoid about NATO expansion and the intentions of the United States.
China responded to the strikes, saying that they "seriously violate the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and international law, as well as Iran's sovereignty, security and territorial integrity."
Regarding Israel and Hamas, just "pressing" for a ceasefire doesn't qualify you for the Nobel Peace Prize. You can argue that by continuing to supply Israel with ammunition, the U.S. has worked against peace in Israel, and that the U.S. is complicit in all of the death and destruction in Gaza.
Regarding the Russia/Ukraine war, Trump promised to end the war in 24 hours. After almost six months in office, nothing of significance has been accomplished. Trump has been played by Putin, BIG TIME, and for this Trump should receive the Nobel Peace Prize?
Regarding India and Pakistan, Trump boasted that he was the one responsible for ending the recent conflict, but India rejects that claim.
Read what a few selected others posted on X regarding Leavitt's claim here, here, and here.
The underlying thread to all of this nonsensical talk is Trump's massive, out of control ego, combined with his MAGA, cult supporters' delusional belief that Trump is some kind of "God-King" (to coin a label often used by progressive commentator Brian Tyler Cohen) that has the ability to fix anything.
Giving Trump the Nobel Peace Prize would be the ultimate stroke to his ego, emboldening him to do even more disruptive and despicable things.
To say that Trump deserves the Nobel Peace Prize is beyond delusional.