A moment of unexpected and audible amusement briefly disrupted a CNN broadcast on Friday as former US President Donald Trump was presented with a newly created international honour.
An Unplanned Chuckle on Live Air
While covering a ceremony at Washington D.C.'s Kennedy Center, CNN's 'Inside Politics' anchor Dana Bash was attempting to explain an on-stage exchange when a female-sounding chuckle was picked up by network microphones. The laugh came from an off-camera staffer as the world watched FIFA President Gianni Infantino award Trump the inaugural 2025 FIFA Peace Prize.
Bash, appearing visibly confused, spoke slowly as she narrated the event for viewers. "Okay, we’re going to continue to monitor this ceremony at the Kennedy Center. And let me just explain what just happened," she said, before the off-screen laughter was captured with crystal clarity. She then stammered, "Um... what just happened was that the President of FIFA gave the President of the United States the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize," while suppressing her own apparent amusement.
The Timing and Context of the Award
The anchor proceeded to note the award's curious timing, stating it "was only created a few weeks ago after President Trump didn’t win the Nobel Peace Prize." The Nobel honour for 2024 was awarded in October to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado.
Bash read FIFA's official description of the prize, emphasising, "This is in their official explanation." The statement described a need to "recognize the outstanding contribution of those who work hard to end conflicts and bring people together in the spirit of Peace" in an "increasingly unsettled and divided world."
The award was presented ahead of Friday’s draw for the 2026 World Cup. On stage, Infantino told the 79-year-old Trump, "This is your prize, this is your peace prize." A video played before the presentation billed Trump as “a dynamic leader who has engaged in diplomatic efforts that created opportunities for dialogue, de-escalation and stability.”
Trump's Nobel Ambitions and Reaction
Trump had relentlessly campaigned to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, widely viewed as one of the world's most prestigious honours. In October, he wrote on his Truth Social platform that he viewed himself as a frontrunner because he had 'ended 8 wars in just 8 months'.
He cited conflicts including those between Israel and Hamas, Israel and Iran, Pakistan and India, and others. However, fact-checkers noted some of those conflicts had seen no recent fighting to end, while others—like the war in Gaza—are ongoing.
Addressing a Kennedy Center crowd of around 2,000 people, Trump accepted the FIFA award, calling it "truly one of the great honors of my life." He maintained that his administration had "saved millions and millions of lives."
The Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded annually by the Norwegian Nobel Committee for over a century. CNN has been approached for comment regarding the off-camera reaction during its broadcast.
