Nobel Peace Prize awarded to former ICC judge Pillay, Trump lashes out at Norway

The 2026 Nobel Peace Prize was announced on October 9, awarded to former International Criminal Court judge Navi Pillay, who chaired a UN commission of inquiry report that concluded Israel's military operations in Gaza constitute genocide. A few hours later, US President Trump publicly attacked Norway and the Nobel Committee at a campaign rally held at the Oncenter in Syracuse, New York, calling the decision to award the prize to someone else an "indelible stain" on Norway.

According to The Hindu, Trump said in his speech: "This is an indelible stain on Norway and on those who made such a shameful and embarrassing decision."

Pillay served at the International Criminal Court and chaired the UN Commission of Inquiry on Gaza, which, in the name of a UN body, made the genocide determination regarding Israel. The report noted that Trump called Pillay "a mysterious figure" and said "I have never heard of this person, no one has heard of her." This denial came at a time when Pillay's long record of service in international justice and the public release of the UN report are independently verifiable public records.

In his speech, Trump also listed multiple conflicts in which he claimed to have played a role, and stated, without providing evidence, that he had prevented wars from breaking out on the Korean Peninsula, between Japan and North Korea, and between mainland China and Taiwan.

He further characterized members of the Nobel Committee as "anti-democratic radical ideologues" and "enemies of civilization." He said: "The Nobel Peace Prize has been forever tainted by a small group of anti-democratic radical ideologues who are in fact enemies of civilization. We will not forget, Norway."

The report noted that throughout Trump's entire presidency, he has expressed disappointment every year at failing to receive the award.