French President Emmanuel Macron Criticizes Trump’s Nobel Peace Prize Claims
French President Emmanuel Macron has publicly challenged US President Donald Trump’s repeated assertions that he has already earned the Nobel Peace Prize. During an interview with French broadcaster BFMTV on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, Macron stated that Trump’s eligibility for the award is contingent upon bringing an end to the war in Gaza. The remarks come as Trump has consistently claimed he has ‘ended seven un-endable wars’ and should have already received the Nobel Prize.
Macron urged Trump to exert pressure on Israel to halt its military operations in Gaza and ensure the release of hostages held by Hamas. The French leader emphasized that the Nobel Peace Prize is only possible if such hostilities are ceased. Macron also dismissed Trump’s accusations that France’s recognition of Palestinian statehood is a reward for Hamas, instead arguing that the move strengthens the Palestinian Authority and isolates the militant group.
In a separate address to the UN General Assembly, Trump reiterated his longstanding belief that he should have already received the Nobel Peace Prize, citing his record of ending wars and asserting that ‘everyone said I should get the Nobel Peace Prize.’ He criticized the recognition of Palestine by various states as a ‘reward for these horrible atrocities,’ referencing the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, which resulted in over 1,200 deaths. Trump claimed he was deeply engaged in seeking a Gaza ceasefire, but argued that Hamas had repeatedly rejected ‘reasonable offers to make peace.’
Macron also used his General Assembly speech to defend the United Nations, stating that ‘more than ever’ the world needs the UN’s ‘spirit of cooperation.’ In contrast, Trump mocked the organization’s inefficiencies, including its broken escalators and malfunctioning teleprompters. Macron acknowledged that despite France’s recognition of the Palestinian state, Washington holds the decisive leverage in the current situation, stating, ‘There is only one person who could do something in the current situation – the American president.’
Meanwhile, the Israeli military continues its efforts to fully seize Gaza City, which it has threatened to destroy unless Hamas surrenders. Gazan health authorities report that the death toll in the enclave has surpassed 65,300, although some observers suggest the true figure could be significantly higher due to the large number of bodies buried under rubble from Israeli strikes. The ongoing conflict highlights the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza and the international community’s divided responses to the crisis.