US President Donald Trump has renewed his criticism of the Nobel Peace Prize selection process, describing the decision not to award him the honour as disgraceful and embarrassing while accusing Norway of bearing responsibility for the outcome.
Trump made the remarks at a campaign rally in Syracuse, New York, on Friday, hours after the Nobel committee announced that former International Criminal Court judge Navi Pillay had won this year’s prize.
The president questioned Pillay’s public profile and dismissed her as a “mystery person”, claiming he had never heard of her and that the public was unfamiliar with her.
Trump Attacks Nobel Committee Over Latest Award
Trump directed his criticism towards Norway, which hosts the Norwegian Nobel Committee, saying the decision had left an enduring mark on the country.
“This is an indelible stain on the country of Norway and those people that made such a disgraceful and embarrassing decision,” he said.
The president also argued that the award had lost credibility, accusing those responsible for the selection of being opposed to democracy and civilisation.
“The Nobel Peace Prize has been forever discredited by a handful of radical ideologues who are anti-democracy and really enemies of civilisation. And we will not forget, Norway,” Trump said.
President Repeats Claims About Preventing Conflicts
During his remarks, Trump listed several international disputes in which he claimed to have played a role in preventing conflict.
He said his efforts had helped avert wars involving North Korea and South Korea, Japan and North Korea, as well as China and Taiwan.
However, he did not provide evidence during the rally to substantiate those claims.
Trump has repeatedly expressed frustration over not receiving the Nobel Peace Prize during his presidency, returning to the issue on multiple occasions.
Navi Pillay Receives This Year’s Nobel Peace Prize
Pillay, the former International Criminal Court judge, was named this year’s Nobel Peace Prize recipient. She also oversaw a United Nations report that concluded Israel had committed genocide in Gaza.
The report’s conclusion has been a subject of intense international debate, while Israel has rejected allegations of genocide.
Trump’s comments came shortly after the announcement, placing the award at the centre of another public dispute involving the US president and the Nobel selection process.
Nobel Prize Dispute Continues
Trump’s latest remarks add to his longstanding complaints about being overlooked for the peace prize. His criticism has focused on what he sees as a failure to recognise his claimed role in easing international tensions.
The Nobel Peace Prize is awarded by the Norwegian Nobel Committee, which independently selects the recipient each year. Trump’s remarks did not change the committee’s decision to honour Pillay.
