The White House has acknowledged Pakistan’s decision to nominate former U.S. President Donald Trump for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize, framing it as recognition of his diplomatic intervention during a highly volatile moment in South Asia.
In a press briefing, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that Pakistan had formally nominated Trump, crediting his efforts in de-escalating a potentially catastrophic military confrontation between India and Pakistan.
“This nomination reflects Pakistan’s recognition of President Trump’s decisive diplomatic intervention to prevent a nuclear conflict between India and Pakistan,” Leavitt stated, referencing Trump’s recent record of global diplomatic engagement.
Islamabad’s decision follows its assessment of Trump’s role in diffusing the military standoff that erupted on May 6, 2025, after India launched multiple unprovoked missile strikes on Pakistani territory. In response, Pakistan initiated a large-scale retaliatory operation — codenamed Bunyan-um-Marsoos — striking Indian military targets across several regions. The Pakistan Air Force reportedly downed six Indian Air Force fighter jets, including three Rafale aircraft, along with dozens of drones.
After nearly four days of intense hostilities, a ceasefire was reached on May 10, 2025, through diplomatic mediation led by the United States.
Pakistan’s nomination was accompanied by a formal recommendation letter sent to the Nobel Committee in Norway. Trump has also been nominated separately by a Republican member of the U.S. Congress, citing his role in easing tensions between Israel and Iran.
This isn’t the first time Trump’s foreign policy actions have been linked to the Nobel Peace Prize. During his presidency, Trump had publicly claimed he deserved the honor for preventing war between India and Pakistan, although he also quipped, “They won’t give it to me — the Nobel is only for liberals.”
