US President Donald Trump has criticised the Norwegian Nobel Committee over its decision to award the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize to South African jurist Navi Pillay, insisting that the United States deserved the honour because of his administration’s efforts to resolve international conflicts.
Trump made the remarks on Friday while addressing supporters at a rally in Syracuse, New York, where he described the decision to recognise Pillay as a disgrace and an enduring stain on Norway’s reputation.
According to the US president, his alleged role in settling several international conflicts should have earned him the prestigious award.
“The United States of America, represented by me as your president, should have received the Nobel Peace Prize, but didn’t,” Trump said.
He further accused those responsible for selecting the laureate of making an embarrassing decision, arguing that the award had lost credibility because of what he described as ideological bias.
Trump also questioned Pillay’s international recognition, describing her as a liberal figure associated with the United Nations whom he claimed was largely unknown.
The president maintained that he had resolved several wars without assistance from the United Nations, using the claim to reinforce his argument that his administration deserved greater recognition for its diplomatic efforts.
Pillay, 85, was announced as the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize laureate on Friday in recognition of her contributions to peace and international law.
The former International Criminal Court judge previously chaired a United Nations commission of inquiry that concluded in 2025 that Israel had committed genocide in Gaza. Israel has rejected allegations of genocide.
The Nobel Committee praised Pillay’s role in advancing accountability for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide, highlighting the importance of international justice in addressing serious violations of human rights.
Following the announcement, Pillay responded humorously to suggestions surrounding Trump’s repeated pursuit of the award, joking that she might share the prize with him as colleagues applauded her recognition.
Trump’s latest outburst adds to his longstanding campaign to secure the Nobel Peace Prize. He has repeatedly argued that his efforts to resolve multiple international conflicts merit the distinction.
During Friday’s rally, he went further by declaring that the award had been permanently discredited by what he called radical ideologues opposed to democracy.
The controversy unfolded against the backdrop of heightened tensions between Washington and international judicial institutions. Hours before Trump’s remarks, his administration announced sanctions against the International Criminal Court.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the measures were aimed at countering what the administration considers threats posed by the court to American citizens and US interests.
The Nobel Peace Prize comprises a gold medal, a diploma and prize money of 12 million Swedish kronor. The award ceremony is scheduled to take place in Oslo on December 10.
