Trump Winning the Nobel Peace Prize Would Make It Another One of His Golf Trophies

Shortly after it was announced that Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado was the winner of the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, the Trump White House reacted with its usual grace. From White House Communications Director Steven Cheung:

President Trump will continue making peace deals, ending wars, and saving lives. He has the heart of a humanitarian, and there will never be anyone like him who can move mountains with the sheer force of his will. The Nobel Committee proved they place politics over peace.

Never mind that Machado speaks favorably of Trump up to and including his use of extra-judicial killings in the Caribbean. Nope, in the MAGAverse, the Nobel Peace Prize belongs to him just like the White House and the Kennedy Center.

For his part, Trump claimed that Machado told him he deserved to be a Nobel Laureate:

The person who actually got the Nobel Prize called today, called me, and said, 'I'm accepting this in honor of you, because you really deserved it,'

It's a very nice thing to do. I didn't say, 'Then give it to me,' though I think she might have. She was very nice.

Given Machado's praise, Trump might be reasonably accurate in his recounting of the conversation unlike instances when he claims the leader of the Boy Scouts called to tell him that he delivered the greatest speech he ever heard. Stil, this tells me that Trump doesn't know or doesn't care to remember Machado's name.

So, does Trump deserve a Nobel Peace Prize for brokering the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas?

Well, not right now. 

For starters, let's not give out prizes before the hostages have actually been freed from captivity. Then there is the not so insignificant question of Hamas relinquishing power. I wouldn't bet on it if the Qataris get to open a military base in Idaho. Imagine if Hamas operatives get trained in the United States thanks to Trump. Let me put it another way. If Hamas does leave Gaza in a year from now, then I am willing to reassess my opinion on the merits of Trump getting the Nobel Peace Prize. But I'm not counting on it.

Mind you, I think President Obama winning the Nobel Peace Prize back in 2009 for no discernible achievement cheapened its prestige. But I also think if the Nobel Committee were to bestow Trump with the honor while Hamas still wields power in Gaza, it would be even further diminished. The prize would probably sit along with the golf trophies for tournaments he won on golf courses that he owns.