Navi Pillay jokes about sharing Nobel Peace Prize with Trump; US President fires back
Navi Pillay had barely finished receiving applause after being named the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize laureate when she made a light-hearted remark about US President Donald Trump.
"If you clap a little bit more, I may share this prize with Trump!" the South African jurist joked in a video shared by the Secretary General of Amnesty International.
Congratulations to Navi Pillay, the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize laureate! Navi Pillay's commitment to international law, unwavering independence and guiding moral light have made her one of the most respected human rights figures of our time. Not only does this award honour an extraordinary individual, it comes at a time when everything Navi Pillay stands for is coming under increasing attack, as powerful states attempt to hollow out the rule of law and jettison fundamental international rules and norms. Here’s the moment she learned the news, captured this morning at the Nuremberg court by Amnesty International’s Secretary General Agnès Callamard.
— Amnesty International (@amnesty) October 9, 2026
Trump, however, responded sharply, criticising both Pillay and the Nobel committee in a post on his Truth Social platform.
Trump accused the committee of undermining the prestigious award by honouring Pillay, who previously headed a United Nations commission that concluded Israel was committing genocide in Gaza.
Trump calls Pillay a 'hater' of America and Israel
In his post, Trump described Pillay as an "unabashed hater of America and Israel" and questioned her credibility.
He accused her of celebrating terrorists, rewarding Hamas and conducting what he called a "phony investigation" into allegations of genocide in Gaza.
The US President also criticised the Nobel committee for its decision, arguing that Pillay had done nothing to promote peace.
Trump further questioned the committee's past choices, referring to the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.
Trump highlights his own peace efforts
Trump used the post to highlight his administration's diplomatic initiatives and argue that his efforts were more deserving of recognition.
He cited the Abraham Accords, efforts to secure the release of hostages, attempts to end the Russia-Ukraine war and measures aimed at countering Iran.
Trump also pointed to his efforts to rebuild Gaza, claiming that these initiatives represented the kind of work the Nobel Peace Prize was intended to recognise.
His remarks came after he had repeatedly expressed interest in receiving the prestigious award for his diplomatic efforts.
Why Navi Pillay won the Nobel Peace Prize
The 2026 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Pillay for her efforts to promote peace and international law. The announcement was made in Oslo, Norway, by Nobel Committee chair Jorgen Watne Frydnes.
The committee highlighted her role in advancing accountability for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.
Pillay, 85, is a South African jurist of Indian Tamil origin. She previously served as a judge at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and as the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Earlier in her career, she represented Nelson Mandela and other anti-apartheid activists as a defence lawyer.
Pillay also headed the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, which concluded in a report last year that Israel was committing genocide in Gaza. Israel has rejected the genocide allegations.
Nobel Prize ceremony scheduled for December 10
The Nobel Peace Prize carries an award of 12 million Swedish kronor, equivalent to approximately $1.2 million.
Pillay is scheduled to receive the award at a ceremony in Oslo on December 10.
Her Nobel win and the subsequent exchange involving Trump have brought renewed attention to international disagreements over Gaza, accountability under international law and the role of the Nobel Peace Prize in recognising efforts to resolve global conflicts.
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