Alfred Nobel’s will provided a clear North Star for his Peace Prize: it should go to the person who has done the most for “fraternity between nations.” This simple, powerful phrase has guided the committee for over a century. When Donald Trump’s record is measured against this guiding principle, it’s clear he has been navigating by a different star entirely.
“Fraternity between nations” implies a world of mutual respect, shared responsibility, and cooperative spirit. It suggests a family of nations working together for the common good. The history of the Nobel is a testament to this ideal, honoring those who have built bridges, not walls.
Trump’s guiding principle was “America First.” This philosophy, by its very nature, is not about universal fraternity. It is about prioritizing the interests of one nation above all others, often in a competitive, zero-sum framework. It is a worldview that is skeptical of the very idea of a “family of nations,” seeing instead a collection of rivals.
This was reflected in his policies and rhetoric. He engaged in trade wars with allies, questioned the value of long-standing security pacts, and withdrew from global agreements. These are not the actions of a leader seeking to build fraternity. They are the actions of a leader who sees the world as an arena for competition, not cooperation.
While the Abraham Accords created new relationships, they are seen by critics as a narrow alliance within a broader strategy that often undermined global fraternity. The Nobel Committee is guided by its North Star. Because Trump’s entire presidency followed a different navigational chart, one that led away from international fraternity, they are certain to find him lost on the journey to the prize.