Trump Lashes Out at Norway Over Nobel Peace Prize Award

Former U.S. President Donald Trump fiercely criticized Norway on October 9th after the Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded the Peace Prize to Navanethem Pillay, an 85-year-old former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and International Criminal Court judge. Speaking at a campaign rally in Syracuse, New York, Trump called the decision an "indelible stain on Norway," labeling it "shameful and embarrassing." He asserted that the prize had been permanently discredited by "radical ideologues" whom he described as anti-democratic enemies of civilization, warning Norway, "We will not forget."

Trump also attempted to belittle Pillay, who previously chaired the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, stating, "Nobody has heard of her." He further claimed on social media that Pillay "hates Israel, very clearly." The White House's irritation stems from Pillay's past role leading a UN commission that concluded in 2025 that Israel committed genocide in Gaza. Pillay also served on the ICC, an institution Trump has previously sanctioned and called "rogue" and "evil."

During her acceptance speech, Pillay humorously remarked to the cheering crowd, "If you applaud a little more, I might share this prize with Trump." This is not the first time Trump has targeted Norway over the prize, which he has openly sought. In January, he wrote to Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, suggesting that since Norway had not awarded him the prize, he no longer felt obligated to focus solely on peace. Støre had previously reminded Trump that the prize is awarded by an independent committee, not the Norwegian government.