The world is waiting for the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize announcement, which is set for Friday. This year’s nominations have drawn global attention — not only for the record number of candidates but also for the high-profile names making headlines.
Among the figures reportedly in the race are US President Donald Trump, former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, billionaire Elon Musk, Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim, and the late Pope Francis.
Record Number of Nominations This Year
The Nobel Committee revealed that there are 338 candidates for the 2025 Peace Prize — 244 individuals and 94 organisations. The number has gone up from last year’s 286 nominations.
The committee does not reveal names publicly, but speculation, political announcements, and self-declared nominations have created intense buzz online.
Trump’s Persistent Campaign for the Nobel Peace Prize
Donald Trump’s name once again tops discussions around the Nobel Peace Prize. The US President has openly expressed his desire to win the award, often calling it “the world’s most coveted peace honour.”
Trump has been nominated several times in the past by both American and international figures. For 2025, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Pakistan’s Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet are among those who reportedly nominated him.
In the US, Congressman Buddy Carter also nominated Trump for his role in brokering a ceasefire between Israel and Iran. He described Trump’s actions as a “historic contribution to peace.”
However, the nominations from Netanyahu and Pakistan’s government came after the official February 1 deadline for the 2025 prize, making them ineligible for consideration this year.
Speaking at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia last month, Trump said, “Nobody’s ever done that. Will you get the Nobel Prize? Absolutely not. They’ll give it to some guy that didn’t do a damn thing.”
Late Pope Francis Among Nominees
Another name that stands out in the list of reported nominations is Pope Francis, who passed away in April this year. He was nominated earlier in 2025 for his efforts to promote global unity and peace.
Norway’s Dag Inge Ulstein of the Christian Democratic Party nominated the late Pope for “his unstoppable contribution to promoting binding and comprehensive peace and fraternity between people, people groups and states.”
However, the Nobel Peace Prize has never been awarded posthumously, which makes his chances uncertain. The Pope was also previously nominated in 2022 for his work on peace, reconciliation, and climate advocacy.
Imran Khan’s Nomination from Norway and PWA
Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, currently imprisoned, has also been nominated this year. The nomination came from members of the Pakistan World Alliance (PWA) and Norway’s Partiet Sentrum political party.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Partiet Sentrum announced, “We are pleased to announce on behalf of Partiet Sentrum that in alliance with somebody with the right to nominate, we have nominated Imran Khan, the former prime minister of Pakistan, to the Nobel Peace Prize for his work with human rights and democracy in Pakistan.”
Khan was earlier nominated in 2019 for his peace efforts in South Asia, especially his attempts to reduce tensions between India and Pakistan.
Elon Musk’s Nomination for Free Speech Advocacy
Billionaire Elon Musk has also entered the spotlight. He was nominated by Branko Grims, a Member of the European Parliament from Slovenia, for defending freedom of speech.
Grims said a petition nominating Musk for the Nobel Peace Prize had been officially submitted to the committee. “The proposal that Mr. Elon Musk, for his consistent support for the fundamental human right of freedom of speech and thus for peace, receives the Nobel Peace Prize 2025, was successfully submitted today,” Grims wrote on X.
He even shared a confirmation email from the Nobel Committee, confirming the submission of Musk’s nomination.
Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim Also in the Race
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is another world leader reportedly nominated for the 2025 Peace Prize. Professors Dr Datuk Osman Bakar and Dr Phar Kim Beng nominated him for “his commitment to dialogue, regional harmony, and peace through non-coercive diplomacy.”
They also praised Anwar’s “timely role in the Thailand–Cambodia ceasefire,” calling it an example of his efforts to promote peace and regional stability.
A Year of Big Names and Global Debates
With such a high-profile list of reported nominees, this year’s Nobel Peace Prize has become one of the most talked-about in recent times. From political leaders to tech billionaires and spiritual icons, the diversity of candidates reflects the global nature of the peace debate.
The Nobel Committee will reveal the official winner on Friday, and the world will finally know who takes home the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize — and whether Donald Trump’s long-awaited wish finally comes true.
