Americans Reject Trump’s Nobel Peace Prize Claims as Poll Shows 76% Opposition.
A new Washington Post survey reveals widespread skepticism about the president’s diplomatic achievements, even among Republican voters divided on his international record.
Three-quarters of Americans dismiss President Donald Trump’s repeated assertions that he deserves the Nobel Peace Prize, according to fresh polling data that underscores a stark disconnect between the president’s self-assessment and public opinion on his foreign policy legacy.
The Washington Post-Ipsos survey, conducted from September 11 to 15 among 2,513 U.S. adults, found that 76 percent believe Trump does not merit the prestigious award, while just 22 percent think he deserves recognition. The findings come on the heels of Trump’s latest pitch to the United Nations General Assembly, where he once again promoted his case for the prize.
Republican Base Shows Unexpected Ambivalence
Perhaps most striking, Trump’s own party appears deeply divided on his Nobel credentials. Republicans split evenly—49 percent supporting his candidacy, 49 percent opposing it. This internal skepticism suggests even his most reliable political constituency harbors doubts about his diplomatic accomplishments.
The president finds even less enthusiasm among independents and Democrats. Only 14 percent of independent voters and a mere 3 percent of Democrats believe Trump is worthy of the award. These numbers paint a picture of a commander-in-chief struggling to build consensus around what he considers his signature foreign policy achievements.
War Handling Fuels Public Doubt
The polling data reveals deeper currents of dissatisfaction with Trump’s approach to major international conflicts. Americans disapprove of his handling of the Russia-Ukraine war by a 60-40 margin, while 58 percent similarly reject his management of the Israel-Hamas conflict.
These approval ratings suggest the public views Trump’s foreign policy record through a more critical lens than the president himself. The disconnect becomes particularly apparent when measured against his recent UN address, where he painted a vastly different picture of his diplomatic impact.
UN Speech Renews Prize Push
Standing before world leaders at the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, Trump revived his familiar refrain about ending multiple international conflicts. The president rattled off what he characterized as seven “raging” wars he claimed to have resolved since returning to office.
“This includes Cambodia and Thailand, Kosovo and Serbia, the Congo and Rwanda — a vicious, violent war that was — Pakistan and India, Israel and Iran, Egypt and Ethiopia, and Armenia and Azerbaijan,” Trump told the assembled delegates.
He concluded with characteristic bravado, insisting that “everyone” had told him he “should get the Nobel Peace Prize for each one of these achievements”.
However, CNN’s fact-checking operation quickly identified problems with Trump’s claims. The news organization noted that Egypt and Ethiopia were not actually at war during Trump’s presidency, making it impossible for him to have brokered peace between those nations.
Macron Delivers Sharp Rebuke
French President Emmanuel Macron offered perhaps the most pointed criticism of Trump’s Nobel ambitions during a Tuesday interview with French television channel BFMTV. His comments came as several key allies, including the United Kingdom, France, and Canada, announced recognition of Palestinian statehood—a move Trump had explicitly opposed.
Macron called Trump’s assertion that Palestinian recognition would reward Hamas “totally wrong” and challenged the president to take concrete action if he truly sought the peace prize.
“I see a U.S. president who is active, who wants peace… who wants the Nobel Peace Prize. But the Nobel Peace Prize is possible only if you stop this war,” Macron said, his tone carrying an unmistakable edge of frustration.
Historical Context Complicates Trump’s Case
Only three sitting U.S. presidents have received the Nobel Peace Prize: Theodore Roosevelt in 1906 for mediating the Russo-Japanese War, Woodrow Wilson in 1919 for his role in founding the League of Nations, and Obama in 2009. Former President Jimmy Carter received the award in 2002, more than two decades after leaving office, primarily for his humanitarian work and efforts in conflict mediation.
The Nobel Committee typically recognizes sustained diplomatic achievements, successful conflict resolution, or significant contributions to international peace and human rights. The selection process involves extensive deliberation about candidates’ long-term impact on global stability—a standard that may complicate Trump’s case, given the polling data and international skepticism.