Congressman Mocked After Nominating Trump for Nobel Peace Prize: 'What About Nominating Putin Directly?'

Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) announced his nomination of President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize on Tuesday.

The nomination, along with Issa's declaration that "No one deserves it more," was met with disbelief, scorn and ridicule on social media.

While Issa failed to divulge his reasoning for the nomination in his initial X post, his office later cited Trump's efforts to promote peace in the Middle East and his ongoing push for a resolution to the war in Ukraine.

"From the time of his election and after being sworn in, President Trump has inspired and promoted the cause of peace – and in a way we have not heard in many years," a spokesperson for Issa told The Hill.

X users disagreed, questioning the merit of the nomination in a mix of sincere and sarcastic replies. Sincere outrage was dedicated to Trump's controversial foreign policy moves, highlighting the escalating tension in relations between the US and Ukraine as Trump embraces Russia, the US-backed halt of foreign aid to Gaza following a failure to negotiate a second phase to the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, and high tariffs imposed on US neighbors, Canada and Mexico.

One user quipped, "What about nominating Putin directly?" Another wrote, "They don't give a Nobel Peace Prize for adult tantrums."

Issa was also mocked for what was seen as a display of loyalty to Trump. "Are you so intimidated by Trump that you feel the need to post this?" one reply asked. Another urged him to focus on passing legislation instead of "sucking up" to Trump.

Issa's nomination adds to a history of Trump being put forward for the award, including for his role in brokering the Abraham Accords in 2020. However, he has yet to win.

Many referenced former President Barack Obama as an undeserving recipient of the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize, with critics claiming it was too early in his presidency to be based on any particular action. One comment suggested Trump "might as well" get the award, "if Obama can get a Nobel Peace Prize simply for existing."

Supporters argue that Trump has placed pressure on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and restored relations with Russia with the intention of promoting peace, or point to the successful first phase of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas negotiated so early in Trump's presidency.

The Nobel Peace Prize is scheduled to be announced on October 10, though the seriousness with which the Norwegian Nobel Committee will consider his nomination remains unclear.