The White House on Friday painted Donald Trump as a relentless humanitarian, moments after the former U.S. President was passed over for the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize. The award was given to Venezuelan democracy activist María Corina Machado, prompting a statement from Trump’s team that focused on his character and future ambitions.
“He has the heart of a humanitarian, and there will never be anyone like him who can move mountains with the sheer force of his will,” wrote the White House Director of Communications. The message was a clear attempt to control the narrative after Trump’s vigorous and public lobbying campaign for the prize fell short.
The Nobel committee chose to honor Machado for her work in uniting the political opposition in Venezuela and her unwavering advocacy for a peaceful transition to democracy. Her selection was praised as a tribute to the power of persistent, grassroots political organization in the face of authoritarianism.
Trump’s candidacy had gained momentum in the final weeks, largely due to his role in a proposed ceasefire for the Gaza Strip. His supporters believed this act of high-stakes diplomacy would be enough to secure the prize, but Nobel experts remained doubtful, citing the committee’s traditional criteria.
The divergent paths of the winner and the contender highlight the broad spectrum of activities that can be defined as “peacemaking.” While Trump’s approach is defined by grand deals, Machado’s is rooted in the long, patient struggle for fundamental rights.
“Heart of a Humanitarian”: White House Reacts as Trump Misses Nobel
