A recent Washington Post-Ipsos poll conducted from September 11-15 shows that 76 percent of Americans believe President Donald Trump does not deserve the Nobel Peace Prize, compared with 22 percent who think he does.
Why It Matters
The results highlight a stark contrast between Trump’s self-perception and public opinion. While he has consistently sought recognition for his foreign policy record, many Americans remain critical of his handling of international conflicts, including Ukraine and Gaza.
Public Approval Trends
Trump’s declining approval ratings add context to the poll. A YouGov/Economist poll recently recorded his approval at 39 percent, with 57 percent disapproving—down from 41 percent approval and 54 percent disapproval the prior week.
According to Newsweek’s tracker, the president’s net approval rating now sits at -10 points, with 44 percent approving and 54 percent disapproving.
The Post-Ipsos poll further shows that 43 percent of Americans approve of Trump’s overall job performance, while 56 percent disapprove. Specifically, 60 percent disapprove of his handling of the Russia–Ukraine war, and 58 percent disapprove of his approach to the Israel–Hamas conflict in Gaza.
Partisan Divide
Opinions on whether Trump deserves the Nobel Peace Prize are sharply divided along party lines. Among Republicans, 49 percent support his bid while 49 percent oppose it. In contrast, only 14 percent of independents and 3 percent of Democrats think he merits the award.
The skepticism toward Trump mirrors historical trends: 54 percent of Americans in the Post-Ipsos poll said former president Barack Obama did not deserve the Nobel Prize he received in 2009. At the time, a Gallup/USA Today survey found 61 percent shared that view.
Trump himself has criticized Obama’s Nobel Prize, mocking it during a 2020 rally: “When Obama got it, he didn’t even—he just said, ‘What did I do?’ He had no idea what he did.” In 2013, he also tweeted that Obama’s prize should be rescinded. Former Norwegian Nobel Institute Director Geir Lundestad later noted that “even many of Obama’s supporters believed that the prize was a mistake.”
Trump’s Pursuit of the Prize
Trump has openly pursued the Nobel Peace Prize for years, with his efforts intensifying recently. During a UN General Assembly speech, he repeated the claim that he had “solved seven conflicts” worldwide and suggested that brokering peace in Ukraine could earn him the award.
He also warned that Russia would face “a very strong round of powerful tariffs” if Vladimir Putin refused to negotiate an end to the war. In June, Trump reiterated his frustration over not receiving a Nobel Peace Prize. On Truth Social, he cited a peace deal he claimed his administration helped broker between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda as proof of his merit, but insisted he would be overlooked “no matter what” he accomplishes.
He also listed other negotiations, including “stopping the War between Serbia and Kosovo” and “keeping Peace between Egypt and Ethiopia,” adding: “No, I won’t get a Nobel Peace Prize no matter what I do, including Russia/Ukraine, and Israel/Iran, whatever those outcomes may be, but the people know, and that’s all that matters to me.”
Nominations and Committee Response
The ultimate decision lies with the five-member Norwegian Nobel Committee. At least three members have publicly criticized Trump in the past. Chairman Jorgen Watne Frydnes condemned his attacks on the media during the 2024 campaign, while another member stated in May that Trump “is well underway in dismantling American democracy,” according to The Washington Post.
Trump has been nominated several times. In 2023, New York Republican Representative Claudia Tenney nominated him for his “historic” Middle East policies. In 2020, far-right Norwegian politician Christian Tybring-Gjedde nominated him for efforts to reconcile North and South Korea, and Swedish MP Magnus Jacobsson nominated him for brokering a deal to normalize relations between Serbia and Kosovo.
In 2021, Swedish nationalist MP Laura Huhtasaari and a group of Australian lawmakers nominated Trump for negotiating the Abraham Accords, but the prize instead went to Filipino and Russian journalists Maria Ressa and Dmitry Muratov “for their efforts to safeguard freedom of expression, which is a precondition for democracy and lasting peace.” In March 2025, California Republican Representative Darrell Issa said he planned to nominate Trump for the prize.
What Happens Next
The 2025 Nobel Peace Prize winner will be announced in October.
