In a fiery statement from the Oval Office, U.S. President Donald Trump took aim at former President Barack Obama’s 2009 Nobel Peace Prize, dismissing it as an award given “for doing nothing.” The remarks came during a press conference on Thursday, where Trump was joined by the Prime Minister of Finland to discuss a historic U.S.-brokered peace agreement between Israel and Hamas. The deal, announced just a day earlier, has been hailed as a significant diplomatic breakthrough, bringing an end to two years of devastating conflict in Gaza. Trump’s comments reflect his ongoing narrative of contrasting his administration’s achievements with those of his predecessors, particularly Obama, whom he accused of “destroying our country.”
Trump’s criticism of Obama’s Nobel Prize was pointed and unapologetic. “They gave it to Obama for absolutely nothing but destroying our country,” he told reporters, referencing the decision by the Norwegian Nobel Committee to award Obama the prestigious honor just eight months into his first term in 2009. At the time, the committee cited Obama’s “extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples” as the basis for the award. However, critics, including Trump, have long argued that the prize was premature, given that Obama had not yet implemented major foreign policy achievements at the time of the award.
In contrast, Trump emphasized his own role in securing peace in Gaza, describing the recent agreement as a landmark achievement. “I’ve stopped eight wars, so that’s never happened before,” he claimed, underscoring his administration’s focus on resolving global conflicts. The Gaza deal, which defied widespread skepticism, marks a significant milestone in Trump’s foreign policy legacy. The agreement brings an end to a brutal two-year conflict that erupted following Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel, which killed 1,200 people and saw 250 others taken hostage. The war has since claimed the lives of approximately 70,000 Palestinians, according to reports, making the ceasefire a critical step toward halting further bloodshed.
The peace deal, brokered by the United States, includes provisions for the release of the remaining hostages—believed to number around 20 survivors—who are expected to return to Israel on Monday or Tuesday. Trump confirmed his intention to attend the signing of the agreement in Egypt in the coming days, stating, “I’ll be there.” The deal has been met with cautious optimism by international observers, with Hamas’s chief negotiator, Khalil al-Hayya, confirming that mediators and the U.S. administration have assured that “the war is completely over.” This assurance marks a significant shift in the region, where tensions have long simmered, often erupting into violent confrontations.
Trump’s remarks also touched on the upcoming announcement of the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, which is set to be revealed today in Oslo, Norway. Despite his role in securing the Gaza agreement, Trump remains a longshot for the award, with prediction market Kalshi giving him just a 5 percent chance of winning. The frontrunner for this year’s prize is Sudan’s Emergency Response Rooms, a community-led network that has provided critical health aid across the country since war broke out in April 2023. The organization’s grassroots efforts to deliver humanitarian assistance in a conflict-ravaged region have garnered significant international attention, positioning it as a strong contender for the prestigious honor.
Trump, however, appeared unfazed by his slim chances of receiving the Nobel Peace Prize. “Whatever they do is fine,” he said, emphasizing that his motivation for brokering the Gaza deal was not recognition but the preservation of lives. “I didn’t do it for that, I did it because I saved a lot of lives,” he told reporters. This sentiment aligns with Trump’s broader narrative of prioritizing tangible results over accolades, a theme that has defined much of his political career. His administration’s success in negotiating the Israel-Hamas ceasefire adds to a list of foreign policy achievements that Trump has touted as evidence of his deal-making prowess.
The Gaza peace deal represents a rare moment of diplomatic success in a region long plagued by conflict. The agreement comes after months of intense negotiations, with the United States playing a central role in bridging the gap between Israel and Hamas. The conflict, which intensified following the October 7 attack, has been marked by significant loss of life and widespread destruction. The ceasefire not only halts the violence but also paves the way for the release of hostages, a key demand of Israel throughout the negotiations. The deal’s success is particularly notable given the complexity of the Israel-Palestine conflict, which has defied resolution for decades.
For Trump, the agreement is a testament to his unconventional approach to diplomacy. Throughout his presidency, he has emphasized his ability to negotiate deals that others deemed impossible, often citing his business background as a key factor in his success. The Gaza deal, in particular, has been framed as a vindication of his “America First” foreign policy, which prioritizes U.S. interests while seeking to resolve conflicts abroad. By securing the ceasefire, Trump has positioned himself as a key player in Middle Eastern politics, a role that could have significant implications for his administration’s legacy.
The international community has responded cautiously to the Gaza agreement, with many acknowledging the significance of the ceasefire while stressing the need for sustained efforts to address the underlying causes of the conflict. The release of the remaining hostages is seen as a critical first step, but questions remain about the long-term viability of the peace deal. Previous agreements in the region have often faltered due to deep-seated mistrust and competing interests, making the coming months a crucial test of the deal’s durability.
As Trump prepares to travel to Egypt for the signing ceremony, his administration is already looking ahead to the next steps in stabilizing the region. The ceasefire is expected to open the door to further negotiations, potentially addressing issues such as reconstruction in Gaza and broader security arrangements. For now, however, the focus remains on implementing the terms of the agreement and ensuring the safe return of the hostages.
The contrast between Trump’s criticism of Obama and his own achievements highlights the deeply polarized nature of U.S. politics. By framing Obama’s Nobel Prize as undeserved, Trump seeks to elevate his own contributions while reinforcing his narrative of reversing the policies of his predecessor. Whether this strategy resonates with the public remains to be seen, but it is clear that Trump views the Gaza deal as a defining moment in his presidency.
As the world awaits the announcement of the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, speculation continues about whether Trump’s role in the Gaza agreement will be recognized. While Sudan’s Emergency Response Rooms remain the favorite, the U.S. president’s success in brokering peace in one of the world’s most intractable conflicts has not gone unnoticed. Regardless of the outcome, Trump’s remarks make it clear that he views his legacy as one of action and results, rather than accolades or approval from international bodies.
In the broader context, the Gaza peace deal underscores the potential for diplomacy to achieve what years of conflict could not. For the people of Gaza and Israel, the ceasefire offers a glimmer of hope after years of violence and loss. As the international community watches closely, the success of this agreement could set the stage for further progress in the region, though significant challenges remain. For now, Trump’s focus on “saving lives” and his willingness to engage directly in the peace process have positioned him as a central figure in this historic moment.
