Former US President Donald Trump has provocatively suggested he is owed multiple Nobel Peace Prizes, one for each of the "eight and a quarter" wars he claims to have ended during his time in office.
Claims of Conflict Resolution and a Forthcoming Meeting
The remarks were made during an exclusive interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity on Thursday 8 January 2026. Trump reiterated his often-repeated assertion about ending eight wars, a tally fact-checkers from organisations like the Associated Press and CNN have previously labelled exaggerated.
During the discussion, Hannity queried Trump about potential plans to meet Maria Corina Machado, the Venezuelan opposition figure who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in October 2025 and subsequently dedicated the honour to Trump. The Fox host referenced Machado's own comments that the award belonged to the Venezuelan people and that she wished to "give it to him and share it with him."
Trump confirmed the planned encounter, stating, "Well, I understand she's coming in next week sometime, and I look forward to saying hello to her." He added that accepting the prize from her "would be a great honour." Specific details regarding the timing of the meeting remain unclear, and The Independent has sought comment from the White House.
The 'Eight and a Quarter' Wars and Nobel Prize Ambition
Elaborating on his record, Trump adjusted his usual claim, citing "eight and a quarter" wars. He explained the fractional addition by referencing renewed tensions between Thailand and Cambodia. "I did put out eight wars, eight and a quarter because, you know, Thailand and Cambodia started going at it again," he told Hannity.
Trump then advanced the argument that his actions should merit individual recognition from the Nobel committee. "But you know, when you put out eight wars, in theory, you should get one for each war," he said. While asserting the personal satisfaction came from saving "millions and millions of lives," the former president's long-standing campaign for the prestigious award was again brought to the fore.
Controversy and Denial Over Venezuelan Politics
These comments arrive amidst reported tensions regarding US policy towards Venezuela. A recent Washington Post article, citing two sources close to the White House, claimed Trump was unwilling to support Machado's leadership in Venezuela following the arrest of Nicolas Maduro, partly because she accepted the Nobel Prize.
One source alleged, "If she had turned it down and said, 'I can’t accept it because it’s Donald Trump’s,' she’d be the president of Venezuela today." However, Trump has firmly denied this account. In a statement to NBC News on Monday, he said Machado "should not have won it," but insisted the award had "nothing to do with" his political calculations.
The episode underscores the ongoing political drama surrounding the Nobel Prize. When Machado won in October, Trump allies, including White House Communications Director Steven Cheung, accused the Nobel committee of putting "politics over peace." Cheung praised Trump's record, writing on X that the president "will continue making peace deals, ending wars, and saving lives."
