President Trump has just been nominated (again) for a Nobel Peace Prize. This marks the third such nomination in recent weeks. Watch the moment here where Benjamin Netanyahu notifies President Trump of the nomination, something that seems to catch President Trump offguard: BREAKING: Prime Minister Netanyahu has officially nominated President Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize. pic.twitter.com/Q9lWNnJGLm — Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) July 7, 2025 Here’s a quick summary of how it all might play out: Netanyahu officially nominated Trump for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize (nomination deadline was January 2025), presenting the letter during a July 7 White House dinner . He praised Trump’s leadership in advancing peace and security, particularly highlighting his role in recent Middle East diplomacy . This marks at least the third major nomination of Trump, with previous ones from Pakistan (for India-Pakistan mediation) and U.S. lawmakers referencing his interventions in conflicts . Netanyahu credited Trump for facilitating a ceasefire in Gaza, backing strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites, boosting Israel’s stance—and he underscored U.S.–Israel cooperation . Trump has also highlighted his own peace efforts, citing work in India-Pakistan and other global conflicts, claiming he “stopped a lot of fights” . If he did win, Trump would become the fifth U.S. president ever to receive the Nobel Peace Prize—following Roosevelt, Wilson, Carter, and Obama . The actual Nobel committee process is closed and independent; nominations are secret for 50 years, and the 2026 committee will deliberate next year, with the award announced in October . Sportsbooks currently give Trump modest odds (roughly 14 – 10.5 %) to win, suggesting some backing but no overwhelming expectation . Here’s more from CNN: When Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived at the White House Monday for dinner, he came bearing what has become the ultimate host gift for President Donald Trump: a letter nominating him for a Nobel Peace Prize. The award has become Trump’s ultimate fixation, one he says is well deserved for his efforts to end conflicts around the globe, including the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. A lasting resolution to that 21-month conflict will depend, in part, on Netanyahu’s willingness to accept a deal that stops the fighting entirely – something Trump planned to press him on during Monday’s dinner in the White House Blue Room. Before the meal was served, however, Netanyahu was quick to burnish Trump’s peace-making abilities, even as negotiators were still finalizing details of a ceasefire deal. “He’s forging peace, as we speak, in one country, in one region after the other,” Netanyahu said as he reached over the table to present Trump with his document. “So, I want to present to you, Mr. President, the letter I sent to the Nobel Prize Committee; it’s nominating you for the Peace Prize, which is well deserved, and you should get it.” “Thank you very much. This I didn’t know. Wow,” Trump responded, seemingly touched. “Coming from you, in particular, this is very meaningful. Thank you very much, Bibi.” For Trump, a deal ending the war in Gaza would be another data point in both his effort to win the Nobel Prize and his long-running and highly difficult quest to cement peace in the Middle East as part of his legacy. “I’m stopping wars. I’m stopping wars. And I hate to see people killed,” Trump said Monday as the dinner was getting underway. What you might not know is the very twisted history of the Nobel Peace Prize. Check this out: A Prize Born of Dynamite and Guilt Alfred Nobel, the Swedish inventor of dynamite, made his fortune creating more powerful explosives used in warfare and industrialization. In 1888, a French newspaper accidentally published an obituary for Alfred instead of his deceased brother Ludvig. The headline read: “The Merchant of Death is Dead.” Horrified by the public perception of his legacy, Nobel rewrote his will and allocated most of his estate to fund five prizes—including one for Peace—perhaps as a form of posthumous redemption. Peace Prize Created by a War Profiteer The contradiction is obvious: the Peace Prize was created by a man who got rich off weapons technology. Nobel didn’t define “peace” clearly in his will, which left the door wide open for interpretation and political maneuvering. The Peace Prize is awarded not by the Swedish Nobel committees (as with the other Nobel Prizes), but by a Norwegian committee appointed by Norway’s Parliament—making it more politically driven from the outset. Rebranding the “Nobel” Name Over the years, the Nobel Foundation worked hard to elevate the image of Alfred Nobel, focusing on his philanthropy and vision of peace—while often downplaying or omitting his ties to warfare. This has been described as one of the earliest examples of reputation laundering, predating modern PR spin doctors. Critics say the Peace Prize became a tool to cleanse the legacy of a man who helped reshape modern warfare. Infamous or Controversial Winners Several recipients (and near-recipients) of the Peace Prize have sparked global backlash or suspicion, raising questions about the credibility, timing, and political motivations behind the award: Henry Kissinger (1973) Awarded for brokering a ceasefire in the Vietnam War, despite widespread accusations of war crimes in Southeast Asia. Comedian Tom Lehrer famously quipped: “Political satire became obsolete when Henry Kissinger won the Nobel Peace Prize.” Yasser Arafat (1994) Shared the prize with Israeli leaders Shimon Peres and Yitzhak Rabin after the Oslo Accords. Arafat had long been accused of orchestrating acts of terrorism. His selection was condemned by critics who felt it legitimized decades of violence. Barack Obama (2009) Awarded just nine months into his presidency, before any major accomplishments. Even Obama admitted feeling unworthy, calling it more a “call to action.” His expanded drone strike program and involvement in military conflicts later led critics to call the award hollow or premature. Ethiopian PM Abiy Ahmed (2019) Hailed for a peace deal with Eritrea, only to later preside over a brutal civil war in Tigray involving atrocities and mass displacement. The committee faced intense criticism for awarding the prize before the long-term consequences of his leadership were clear. Bill Gates (Not Officially Awarded, But Frequently Rumored) Though never formally awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, Bill Gates has been repeatedly mentioned as a potential candidate due to his philanthropic work through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, particularly in global health and vaccine distribution. However, persistent rumors have circulated that Gates actively lobbied for the award, including leveraging PR firms, think tanks, and media influence to frame his image as a global savior. Critics argue that Gates’ deep ties to pharmaceutical companies, controversial vaccine trials, and agricultural control in the developing world complicate his peace-building narrative. Some have compared these efforts to a modern-day campaign to “buy” a legacy or launder a public image, echoing how Alfred Nobel himself tried to reshape how he would be remembered. Other Oddities and Controversies Mahatma Gandhi, a global symbol of nonviolence, was nominated five times—but never won. The committee later admitted this was a grave oversight. The Prize has been withheld several times—such as during World War II or when suitable candidates couldn’t be agreed upon. The committee often gives the prize to organizations (such as the United Nations, the European Union, or the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) instead of individuals—sparking accusations of bureaucratic self-congratulation. Bottom Line The Nobel Peace Prize: Was born from guilt and image repair, Is often awarded in political contexts with subjective reasoning, Has honored people ranging from genuine peacemakers to divisive figures with bloody records, And remains one of the most prestigious yet controversial awards in the world.