The story of the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize is a remarkable tale of how a small, obscure committee of five Norwegians defied the intense pressure and lobbying of a former leader of a global superpower. The choice of María Corina Machado over Donald Trump is a powerful assertion of the committee’s independence.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee is appointed by the Norwegian Parliament, but it acts with complete independence. Its members are typically former politicians or academics who are shielded from direct political pressure.
This independence was put to the test this year. Trump’s high-profile candidacy and public lobbying campaign represented a significant challenge to the committee’s autonomy. A decision in his favor could have been perceived as caving to pressure.
By choosing Machado, a relatively unknown figure on the world stage, the committee sent a clear signal that it will not be swayed by power or fame. They based their decision on their own interpretation of Alfred Nobel’s will, not on the political desires of a former U.S. President.
The White House’s surprised reaction suggests they may have underestimated the fierce independence of this small group. The 2025 prize is a testament to the fact that, in the world of the Nobel, principle can still outweigh power.