White House: Trump believes he’s earned Nobel, doubts he’ll win

President Donald Trump and his aides are mounting a public campaign to promote him as a contender for the Nobel Peace Prize ahead of Friday’s high-stakes meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, where the two leaders will discuss ending the war in Ukraine, according to the latest report by NBC News.

In recent weeks, the White House has stepped up messaging portraying Trump — often seen as one of the most combative US presidents — as a “peacemaker.” Officials have underscored his role in defusing tensions between Israel and Iran, Armenia and Azerbaijan, Cambodia and Thailand, and Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, citing “worldwide calls” from leaders of several of those countries for Trump to be awarded the prize.

Trump has also promoted his mediation efforts between nuclear-armed rivals India and Pakistan, suggesting he used trade incentives to halt fighting. An Indian official has publicly disputed that US mediation played a role.

The Alaska summit is viewed by Trump aides as his strongest opportunity yet to secure the award. A breakthrough agreement acceptable to Ukraine would mark a diplomatic success that evaded former presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden.

White House attention to the Nobel intensified in July. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt raised the subject in three of her four briefings that month, despite not mentioning it in earlier months.

Trump has referenced the Nobel Peace Prize seven times on his social media platform since his second term began, including six posts in June and July. His repeated message has been that while he believes he has earned the honour, he does not expect to receive it.

“The president feels that he deserves the Nobel Peace Prize but does not think he will get it,” a White House official told NBC News on condition of anonymity.

By Tamilla Hasanova