Earning a Nobel Peace Prize is one of the highest honors in the world, reserved for individuals or organizations that have made significant contributions to promoting peace. But how does someone actually qualify for it? The process starts with a nomination, and not just anyone can nominate. Heads of state, members of national governments, university professors in select fields, past Nobel laureates, and directors of peace institutes are among those who can submit a valid nomination. These nominations must be sent to the Norwegian Nobel Committee by January 31st of the award year. After the deadline, the Committee reviews all the submissions, consults with advisers, narrows the list, and eventually announces the winner in early October. The formal award ceremony then takes place on December 10 in Oslo, Norway.

One important aspect of the process is confidentiality. While nominators can go public with their nominations, the Nobel Committee itself doesn’t confirm or deny any names until 50 years later, when records are finally made public. This rule is meant to protect the integrity of the selection process and avoid turning it into a political spectacle—although, as history has shown, nominations often do become part of international headlines anyway.

This week, Cambodia’s Prime Minister, Hun Manet, publicly announced that he had nominated former U.S. President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize. According to Prime Minister Hun Manet, Trump played a key role in ending a five-day military conflict between Cambodia and Thailand. In late July 2025, Trump reportedly called both sides and encouraged them to halt hostilities. That effort is credited with leading to a ceasefire agreement signed on July 28 in Malaysia. The Cambodian leader described Trump’s actions as “extraordinary statesmanship” that prevented further bloodshed and displacement along the border. This isn’t the first time Trump has been nominated; he’s received nods in the past for his role in Middle East peace efforts. However, this nomination stands out due to its focus on Southeast Asia—a region not typically associated with U.S. presidential diplomacy.

Nobel nominations are often more than symbolic; they reflect how world leaders interpret peacebuilding in their own contexts. Whether or not Trump wins, Cambodia’s move highlights how even brief acts of diplomacy can ripple across borders and be recognized on the global stage. It also serves as a reminder that anyone who contributes meaningfully to preventing conflict—through leadership, negotiation, or simply showing up at the right moment—can be considered worthy of one of the world’s most prestigious prizes.

Will U.S. President Donald Trump get the Nobel Peace Prize? 

References:

Reuters. (2025, August 7). Cambodia PM says he has nominated Donald Trump for Nobel Prize. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/cambodia-pm-says-he-has-nominated-donald-trump-nobel-prize-2025-08-07/

Reuters. (2025, July 8). Can US President Donald Trump win the Nobel Peace Prize?https://www.reuters.com/world/us/can-us-president-donald-trump-win-nobel-peace-prize-2025-07-08/

NobelPrize.org. (n.d.). Nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize. Retrieved August 8, 2025, from https://www.nobelprize.org/nomination/peace/

NobelPeacePrize.org. (n.d.). The nomination process. Retrieved August 8, 2025, from https://www.nobelpeaceprize.org/nobel-peace-prize/nomination/the-nomination-process