Trump criticises Nobel laureate Navi Pillay, dismisses her as “phony”

US President Donald Trump has criticised Nobel Peace Prize laureate Navi Pillay, reposting a statement on Truth Social that described the former United Nations human rights chief as an “unabashed hater of America and Israel”.

The repost accused the Nobel Committee of having “shamed itself beyond repair” by awarding Pillay the prize.

It also alleged that she had “celebrated terrorists and rewarded Hamas” and dismissed her investigation into allegations of genocide by Israel as “phony”.

The statement argued that Trump deserved the honour for his role in brokering the Abraham Accords, securing the release of hostages and attempting to end the Russia-Ukraine war. It praised the accords as an achievement that had once been considered impossible and claimed Trump was working to stop Iran and rebuild Gaza.

The post said these were the kinds of achievements the Nobel Peace Prize was intended to “recognize and reward”.

Pillay, 85, was awarded the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts to promote peace and international law. Announcing the decision in Oslo, Nobel Committee chair Jorgen Watne Frydnes said the committee recognised her contribution to advancing accountability for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.

Pillay made a light-hearted reference to Trump after her win. In a video shared by Amnesty International’s secretary-general, she joked, “If you clap a little bit more, I may share this prize with Trump!”

A South African of Indian Tamil origin, Pillay previously served as the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and as a judge at the International Criminal Court. Earlier in her career, she defended Nelson Mandela and other anti-apartheid activists.

The Nobel Peace Prize carries an award of 12 million Swedish kronor, worth approximately $1.2 million. The award ceremony is scheduled for December 10 in Oslo.