Trump denounces Nobel Peace Prize decision at New York rally

President Donald Trump denounced the Nobel Peace Prize decision at a Republican rally in Syracuse, New York, on Friday, saying the choice not to honor him left “an indelible stain on the country of Norway.” The prize went to Navi Pillay, a South African legal pioneer and former U.N. human rights chief who led a U.N. commission that concluded Israel committed genocide in Gaza.

“The United States of America, represented by me as your president, should have received the Nobel Peace Prize, but didn’t,” Trump told the crowd. He called the decision “disgraceful and embarrassing” and said the prize had been “forever discredited” by people he described as “radical ideologues.”

Trump said he deserved eight Nobel Peace Prizes because, he claimed, he had ended eight conflicts. He cited efforts involving Africa and Asia and said he had “saved more lives than anyone in history.” Speaking about Pillay, he said, “I’ve never heard of the person,” before adding, “congratulations, anyway.”

The Guardian reported that Trump also said he was “about to settle or win two more” conflicts: Iran and Russia-Ukraine. He said he would end both quickly. Of Iran, he warned, “they give us everything or they don’t exist any longer.” NBC News, by contrast, reported that Trump did not mention the war in Ukraine in his remarks about the prize. Both outlets reported that the war with Iran, which Trump launched earlier this year, is ongoing.

Trump also claimed he had stopped Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. The Guardian noted that U.S. intelligence agencies told Congress in 2025 that Iran had suspended its pursuit of nuclear weapons in 2003.

Pillay, 85, learned of her award at a legal gathering in Germany. After the audience applauded, she joked, “If you clap a little bit more, I may share this prize with Trump,” according to NBC News. Trump called the award to her “another sign of how Norway and all these others are ripping off our country.”

Trump has pursued the peace prize during his second term, and allies have argued that his efforts to end the war in Gaza and other conflicts merit the award. NBC News reported that María Corina Machado, the 2025 winner, offered earlier this year to share her prize with Trump while seeking his support for her efforts in Venezuela after his administration removed former President Nicolás Maduro from power.

The Syracuse rally was intended to support Republican gubernatorial nominee Bruce Blakeman and other state candidates. Trump praised attorney general nominee Saritha Komatireddy and attacked Democratic Attorney General Letitia James, calling her a “dog” and telling voters to fire her.

James led an investigation into Trump’s business dealings that resulted in a state judge ordering him to pay more than $350 million after finding he had conspired to manipulate his net worth. A state appeals court later threw out the fine. Responding to Trump’s remarks, a James campaign spokesperson said the campaign welcomed the contrast between the candidates.