Former U.S. President Donald J. Trump has reportedly been shortlisted among 287 candidates for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize. The nomination acknowledges his role in brokering the Abraham Accords in 2020, which facilitated normalization agreements between Israel and several Arab nations. While the Norwegian Nobel Committee maintains strict confidentiality regarding its nominations for 50 years, reports from nominators and other sources indicate Trump's inclusion on the preliminary list.

The nomination for the 2026 prize was reportedly submitted by Luke Coffey, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute and a former advisor to the British government. Coffey cited Trump's "visionary leadership" and "instrumental role" in facilitating the Abraham Accords as the primary reasons for his recommendation. These agreements marked a significant diplomatic development, leading to peace and normalization treaties signed at the White House between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco. Supporters of the accords have highlighted their potential for increasing regional stability and fostering economic cooperation in the Middle East.

The Nobel Peace Prize selection process is a rigorous, multi-stage procedure. Each year, thousands of eligible nominators — including national assembly members, heads of state, university professors, and past laureates — are invited to submit candidates by January 31. Following this deadline, the five-member Norwegian Nobel Committee reviews all valid nominations and compiles a preliminary shortlist, which for the 2026 prize reportedly includes 287 individuals and organizations. This initial list then undergoes further scrutiny by a panel of expert advisors, who prepare detailed reports on the candidates. The committee subsequently discusses these reports, ultimately making its final decision by consensus or majority vote in late September or early October.

Key details of the Nobel Peace Prize process:

  • Nomination Deadline: January 31 of the award year.
  • Committee Review & Shortlisting: February-March.
  • Adviser Reports: March-August.
  • Committee Decision: Late September/Early October.
  • Announcement: Early October.
  • Award Ceremony: December 10, in Oslo, Norway.

This is not the first instance of Donald Trump being nominated for the prestigious international award. He was previously put forward for the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize by Christian Tybring-Gjedde, a member of the Norwegian Parliament, also for his efforts in negotiating the Abraham Accords. That year, the prize was ultimately awarded to journalists Maria Ressa and Dmitry Muratov for their efforts to safeguard freedom of expression.

The 2026 Nobel Peace Prize will be announced in October 2026, with the formal award ceremony taking place on December 10, the anniversary of Alfred Nobel's death. The committee's ongoing evaluations will determine which of the shortlisted candidates will ultimately receive one of the world's most distinguished honors for contributions to peace and international understanding.