Former President **Donald Trump** has jumped headfirst into a growing international storm after Russian leader **Vladimir Putin** slammed the Nobel Committee for awarding this year’s **Nobel Peace Prize** to a Ukrainian human rights coalition. In a fiery post on his platform, Trump mocked both the committee and world leaders, saying the prize had become “a total joke” and accusing Western countries of “escalating tensions instead of ending them.”
As Reuters reported, Trump’s comments came just hours after Putin publicly blasted the decision, calling it “a deliberate provocation” meant to humiliate Russia. The Kremlin leader lashed out at the Nobel Committee for awarding the prize to activists who have openly opposed Moscow’s war in Ukraine, describing the move as “a disgraceful political stunt.”
Putin blasts the Nobel Peace Prize decision as a “provocation,” calling it “a disgrace to the award.” — @Reuters
Trump responded quickly, saying, “Putin is right about one thing — the Nobel Prize has become just another tool for globalists. It’s no longer about peace. It’s about making political statements. Very sad!” He went on to accuse the Nobel Committee of “trying to control narratives” rather than rewarding “real peacemakers.”
According to The New York Times, Trump’s remarks immediately ignited backlash from European officials, who accused him of siding with an authoritarian leader against an international institution. “He’s legitimizing Putin’s aggression once again,” said one EU diplomat, warning that Trump’s words “echo Kremlin talking points almost verbatim.”
Putin’s initial reaction to the Nobel announcement came during a televised address, where he sneered at the selection and accused the committee of fueling “anti-Russian hysteria.” The Nobel Peace Prize this year was awarded to a coalition of Ukrainian journalists and rights defenders documenting alleged war crimes committed during the ongoing war. Putin claimed the choice “shows the West is not interested in peace — only punishment.”
“The West is not interested in peace — only punishment,” Putin says after Nobel decision. — @nytimesworld
Trump, echoing his familiar “America First” tone, accused the Biden administration and its allies of “pretending to be peacemakers while pushing the world closer to World War III.” He added, “They give prizes to people who do nothing for peace, but when I was actually making peace deals, they ignored me. Everyone knows it’s rigged.”
That statement is a clear reference to Trump’s longstanding grievance over not receiving the Nobel Peace Prize during his presidency, despite brokering agreements in the Middle East. As Axios pointed out, Trump has often brought up the prize as a symbol of what he sees as a biased global system aligned against him.
European leaders condemned Trump’s remarks as “reckless and opportunistic.” A French official speaking to Le Monde said, “He isn’t just criticizing the Nobel Committee — he’s amplifying Putin’s propaganda. That’s not leadership, that’s destabilization.” In Germany, lawmakers called his comments “irresponsible at a time when unity is needed.”
“Trump is not just criticizing the Nobel Committee — he’s amplifying Putin,” says French official. — @lemondefr
Inside Russia, Putin’s remarks were broadcast widely on state television, painting the Nobel Prize decision as proof that “the West is waging an information war.” Pro-Kremlin commentators praised Trump’s comments, with one prominent Russian anchor calling him “the only Western leader who dares to tell the truth.” Analysts told BBC News that the Kremlin will likely use Trump’s words as propaganda material in the coming days.
Meanwhile, White House officials are reportedly furious. A senior administration figure told CNN that Trump’s statement “undermines U.S. foreign policy and emboldens a hostile regime.” They added, “When he sides with Putin on something like this, it’s not just words — it sends a signal.”
White House official: “Trump’s statement undermines U.S. foreign policy and emboldens a hostile regime.” — @CNN
Social media erupted within minutes of Trump’s post. Hashtags like #TrumpAndPutin and #NobelPrize shot to the top of trending lists. Supporters praised Trump for “telling the truth about global elites,” while critics accused him of “openly siding with an authoritarian leader against democracy.” One viral tweet read, “Putin lashes out at the Nobel Prize, and Trump rushes to agree. That says it all.”
Political analysts say this moment reveals more than just Trump’s personal grievances with the Nobel Committee. “This is a calculated signal to his base,” said Dr. Ian Hollister, a geopolitical analyst speaking to MSNBC. “He’s framing global institutions as corrupt elites — and aligning himself, intentionally or not, with authoritarian narratives.”
The Nobel Committee has not directly responded to either Putin or Trump’s remarks but released a brief statement defending its selection, saying, “The prize was awarded to individuals and organizations working courageously for peace and human rights in the face of aggression. That mission remains unchanged.”
Nobel Committee stands by its decision, saying the prize honors “courage in the face of aggression.” — @NobelPrize
With global tensions already running high over the war in Ukraine, experts warn that this latest rhetorical clash could deepen divides. “Putin sees this as an opportunity to rally domestic support, and Trump sees it as a political weapon at home,” said analyst Julia Rosen in an interview with Bloomberg. “That’s a dangerous mix.”
While Putin continues to frame the Nobel decision as an insult to Russia, Trump’s willingness to echo the Kremlin’s outrage has once again placed him at the center of a global political storm — one that shows no signs of quieting down.
