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President Donald Trump is being listed as an early favorite for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize by a U.K.-based bookmaker, even as the official nomination process remains confidential and unconfirmed.
William Hill currently gives Trump 3/1 odds to win the prize, according to a spokesperson who said the company considers him the leading contender despite no public confirmation from the Norwegian Nobel Committee.
“Although the Norwegian Nobel Committee have not confirmed that Donald Trump is among the 287 candidates for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize, we make Trump the leading contender to take this year’s award,” spokesperson Lee Phelps said, according to Mediaite.
The Nobel Peace Prize nomination process is traditionally secret, with hundreds of names submitted each year by qualified nominators such as lawmakers, academics and past recipients. The committee does not disclose nominees ahead of the official announcement.
The 2025 prize was awarded to María Corina Machado for “her tireless work promoting democratic rights for the people of Venezuela and for her struggle to achieve a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy.”
President Trump’s supporters have argued he deserves consideration for diplomatic efforts during his second term, including attempts to broker ceasefires in global conflicts. However, the deadline for nominations typically falls before new administrations take office, which can limit eligibility for recent actions.
Machado later dedicated her Nobel recognition in part to Trump, underscoring his influence in international political developments tied to Venezuela.
Machado told Fox News host Sean Hannity at the time, “I certainly would love to be able to personally tell him that we believe — the Venezuelan people, because this is a prize of the Venezuelan people — certainly want to, to give it to him and share it with him.” She added, “What he has done is historic. It’s a huge step towards a democratic transition.”
President Trump has said he believes he merits the Nobel Peace Prize, citing his successes in resolving conflicts during his presidency. The Norwegian Nobel Committee is expected to announce the 2026 Peace Prize recipient in October.
