Video clips of President Donald Trump reiterating his claim that he ended “eight wars” during a White House briefing have resurfaced on social media, reigniting debate over his push for a Nobel Peace Prize.
At 79, the Republican president has repeatedly contrasted his record with that of former President Barack Obama, now 64, arguing that he—not Obama—deserves the prestigious award. Obama received the Nobel Peace Prize in October 2009, just nine months into his first term. The Norwegian Nobel Committee cited his “extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples,” particularly in nuclear nonproliferation and global relations.
Trump, who has never received the prize despite expressing his desire for it, has frequently criticized Obama’s early recognition. In a January White House briefing that is now circulating again, Trump declared: “Whether people like Trump or don’t like Trump, I settled eight wars. Big ones. Some going on for 36 years, 32 years, 31 years, 28 years, 25 years. Some just getting ready to start, like India and Pakistan.
“I got it done in rapid order without nuclear weapons. I can’t think of anyone in history who should get the Nobel Prize more than me. And I don’t want to be bragging, but nobody else settled wars!”
He continued by dismissing Obama’s award: “Obama got the Nobel Prize, he had no idea why. He still has no idea… He got it almost immediately upon attaining office and he didn’t do anything.”
Trump added that major conflicts many believed could never be stopped were resolved under his leadership, claiming even Russian President Vladimir Putin had been unable to end two of them over a decade. “In theory you should get the Nobel Prize for every war you stop,” he said. “But I don’t care about that. What I care about is saving lives. I’ve saved tens of millions of lives.”
White House Communications Director Steven Cheung previously attributed Trump’s lack of a Nobel to politics, stating the committee “proved they place politics over peace.” He praised Trump as a humanitarian who would continue brokering peace deals and “moving mountains with the sheer force of his will.”
Nobel Committee chair Jørgen Watne Frydnes responded to questions about Trump’s claims by emphasizing the committee’s independence. He noted that the panel receives thousands of nomination letters annually and faces various campaigns and media pressure, but bases decisions solely on the “work and the will of Alfred Nobel.” The committee’s deliberations, he said, are guided by courage and integrity, not external lobbying.
Trump’s assertions about ending eight long-running conflicts have drawn both strong support from his backers and skepticism from critics who question the scope and permanence of the resolutions.
