Nobel Peace Prize winner Navi Pillay pokes fun at Trump longing to get one
The 2026 Nobel Peace Prize winner Navi Pillay had a playful offer for her audience earlier on Friday: keep the applause coming and she might share the world’s most prestigious award with the US president Donald Trump.
The 85-year-old South African was attending an international law summit in Nuremberg. Amnesty International secretary-general Agnès Callamard recorded her reaction and posted it on X.
«I don’t know about this, so my question is, is this true? Your applause is very important to me. But, being a lawyer and a judge, I still want to verify this thing,» Pillay was heard saying.
«If you clap a little bit more, I may share this prize with Trump,» Pillay was heard saying after Friday’s announcement from the Norwegian Nobel Committee, which commended her for the «universal legal principles and her firm moral compass.»
Amazing moment. Navi Pillay has received the Nobel Peace Prize ! https://t.co/HL3r1PJzLO We are at the Nuremberg Court; I cannot think of a stronger symbol for her Nobel prize. We are all so thrilled! This is her first reactions upon hearing the news: https://t.co/Crbj6XdiyQ
— Agnes Callamard (@AgnesCallamard) October 9, 2026
Did Pillay say anything about Trump before?
Pillay’s earlier assessments were considerably sharper. In a 2019 address published by the American Society of International Law, she lambasted Trump for his attacks on international institutions, withdrawal from the Paris climate accords, and support for illegal Israeli settlements.
In February 2025, Pillay told Politico that Trump’s proposal to displace Palestinians from Gaza was unlawful and would amount to ethnic cleansing.
Navi Pillay, a former @UNHumanRights Chief, has just won the 2026 #NobelPeacePrize. "She has been a staunch defender and advocate of human rights. It is important in this day and age to see that acolade being awarded to those who are speaking out on violations of human rights." https://t.co/p5wN8mMyy5
— United Nations Geneva (@UNGeneva) October 9, 2026
In the same interview, she condemned Trump’s sanctions against the International Criminal Court, where she had served as a judge.
Read more: Netanyahu decries ICC as «Kangaroo Court» after Mamdani’s ‘war criminal’ remark
From Gaza inquiry to Nobel Peace Prize
Commenting on the Nobel Peace Prize, Pillay turned to the Gaza investigation she had led and the praise she had received for speaking out. Admitting it was a surprise, the international lawyer said, «the last thing I did was deliver the report on Gaza.»
«One of the main reactions to that report is paying tribute to me for my courage. And you can imagine how surprised I was: why would you need courage to speak the truth? You interpret the law, you look at all the facts, so it’s an impartial decision you make.»
Navi Pillay last year: "The commission finds it is genocide" Pillay has just won the Nobel peace prize. https://t.co/LsflGuiNph
— Saul Staniforth (@SaulStaniforth) October 9, 2026
The backstory: Palestinians crowded into 30% of Gaza as new shelter aid covers just 35,000 families
The independent UN commission she chaired concluded that Israel had committed genocide in Gaza. Israel rejected the finding and accused the commission of bias.
