In a recent response to President Donald Trump’s ongoing grievances regarding his lack of a Nobel Peace Prize, the Norwegian Nobel Institute made efforts to clarify its selection process. Director Kristian Berg Harpviken spoke to The Atlantic, emphasizing the importance of transparency amidst allegations of bias from Trump and his supporters.
“The strategy for clearing the air is simply to talk about it,” Harpviken shared. Although he did not directly mention Trump, he referred to him as the “candidate in question” to help people better grasp the workings of the institute.
“We see it as important that as many people as possible understand how it is that we work and what the principles are,” he stated. “Whether those lobbying for the prize are receptive to that or not is really beyond our control.”
Harpviken noted that they have not experienced pressure from officials or embassies attempting to influence the committee. “Nothing like that,” he asserted, stressing that they would remain unaffected by external lobbying. “A candidate who is aggressively campaigning for him or herself will neither be penalized nor privileged. We are very conscious about that.”
The Daily Beast has reached out to the White House for a response.
In 2025, Trump was notably fixated on earning the honor, even going so far as to cold-call Norwegian diplomats and publish multiple posts on Truth Social lamenting his absence from the list of winners, despite what he believed were his significant achievements.
This fixation culminated in FIFA’s decision to award him a fabricated peace prize in December, likely aimed at gaining favor before the upcoming World Cup. In January, he notably claimed the Nobel Peace Prize originally awarded to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado.
In light of the controversial situation, the Nobel Institute issued a statement reminding the public that Nobel Prizes are not transferable, attempting to mitigate the fallout from Machado’s unusual gesture. The idea was reportedly spearheaded by Machado herself, who justified her actions by asserting that Trump deserved the award. “It was a very emotional moment. I decided to present the Nobel Peace Prize medal on behalf of the people of Venezuela,” she stated during an interview with Fox News.
The institute’s response made it clear that merely holding the medal does not make someone a Nobel laureate. “The medal and the diploma are the physical symbols confirming that an individual or organization has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize,” they remarked, emphasizing that the recognition remains intrinsically linked to the individual designated by the Norwegian Nobel Committee.
Despite receiving the fabricated award, Trump’s grievances persisted. Shortly thereafter, he issued a threatening statement to Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.
“Considering your Country decided not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize for having stopped 8 Wars PLUS, I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of Peace,” Trump communicated to Støre.
In response, Støre reiterated that the Nobel Committee operates independently. “I reminded him every time that it’s not my decision; it’s not the government’s decision. This is an independent committee. It is staunchly independent,” he remarked during his interview with The Atlantic.
“Some of my diplomats say, you know, ‘If the prime minister would try to interfere with the Nobel committee, he would have to resign, because it would simply be unacceptable.’”
Key Takeaways
- The Norwegian Nobel Institute is emphasizing transparency amid claims of bias from Trump.
- Director Kristian Berg Harpviken states the selection process aims to clarify how candidates are evaluated.
- The Nobel Peace Prize cannot be shared or transferred, reinforcing the importance of the designated laureate.
- Trump’s pursuit of the Nobel Prize has included direct outreach to diplomats and public declarations.
- The situation has led to unusual exchanges, including a fabricated award from FIFA.
FAQ
What is the role of the Norwegian Nobel Institute?
The Norwegian Nobel Institute oversees the selection process for the Nobel Peace Prize and aims to maintain transparency in awarding this honor.
Can a Nobel Prize be transferred or shared?
No, Nobel Prizes cannot be transferred or shared, as clarified by the committee.
How did Trump respond to his perceived Nobel snub?
Trump expressed his grievances in various public statements, including a message to the Norwegian Prime Minister.
