US President Donald Trump has expressed his disappointment and frustration with Norway's decision to award the Nobel Peace Prize to former International Criminal Court judge Navi Pillay. Speaking at a rally in Syracuse, New York, Trump described the outcome as "disgraceful and embarrassing". He questioned Pillay's identity, saying he had "never heard" of her. Trump also accused the Nobel committee of undermining the prize's credibility.
Pillay, a former UN human rights chief, received the award for her work promoting peace and international law. The Nobel committee praised her efforts in advancing a "more comprehensive global legal order". According to the committee, her work had helped ensure that individuals responsible for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide faced prosecution. Pillay, 85, initially expressed disbelief upon hearing the news, saying "it must be a joke".
Trump has repeatedly expressed his desire to win the Nobel Peace Prize, claiming he had helped settle eight wars and was "about to settle or win two more". However, he provided no evidence to support these assertions. The US president also alleged that the prize had lost its credibility due to the people responsible for selecting its recipients. He described the Nobel committee as a group of "radical ideologues who are anti-democracy and really enemies of civilisation".
This is not the first time Trump has clashed with the Nobel committee. Last year, Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado received the Nobel Peace Prize instead of him. The White House accused the Nobel committee of putting "politics over peace", while Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre explained that the decision rested with an independent committee based in Norway.
During the rally, Trump repeated his claims of being a peacemaker, but provided no evidence to support his assertions. He also joked about the Nobel Prize, saying that Pillay could share the prize with him if she clapped a little bit more. The Nobel committee has clarified that the award cannot be revoked, shared, or transferred to others, regardless of the recipient's wishes.
Jørgen Watne Frydnes, chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, praised Pillay's contribution to international justice. He highlighted her efforts in promoting peace and international law, which have helped advance a more comprehensive global legal order. Pillay's award is a recognition of her tireless work in ensuring that individuals responsible for war crimes face prosecution.
The controversy surrounding the Nobel Peace Prize decision has sparked a heated debate. While some have praised Pillay's award, others have criticized the Nobel committee's decision. Trump's comments have also sparked a reaction, with some questioning his credibility on the matter. The Nobel Peace Prize is one of the most prestigious awards in the world, and the controversy surrounding this year's decision is likely to continue.
Key points
- Trump criticizes Norway's decision to award Nobel Peace Prize to Navi Pillay
- Pillay receives award for promoting peace and international law
- Trump has repeatedly expressed his desire to win the Nobel Peace Prize
