Did Gavin Newsom win the Nobel Peace Prize?

California Governor Gavin Newsom has become the subject of widespread online discussion following a viral Facebook post claiming he won the Nobel Peace Prize for allegedly “preventing an armed conflict” between California and Oregon. The post, shared by user Andy Borowitz, quickly gained traction, amassing nearly 45,000 reactions and numerous congratulatory comments from social media users.

The same post humorously suggested that former President Donald Trump was upset over the news, claiming he was given a “laser-printed certificate of participation” by the Nobel committee. However, the entire claim is false.

Andy Borowitz is known for his satirical content. He runs The Borowitz Report, a parody news blog that describes itself as “an award-winning news satire column read by millions in 175 countries.” Despite many users taking the post at face value, it is not based in fact.

There is no evidence to suggest that Gavin Newsom has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. The Nobel Committee does not publicly release the names of nominees until 50 years after the award is given. For 2025, a total of 338 candidates are in the running—244 individuals and 94 organizations. The official winner will be announced on October 10, 2025.

Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump has publicly claimed he is among the nominees. According to a BBC report, several international leaders, including those from Pakistan and Israel, have reportedly put his name forward. Trump has argued he deserves the award for allegedly ending multiple global conflicts.

In August 2025, it was reported that Trump contacted Norway’s finance minister, Jens Stoltenberg, regarding the Nobel Peace Prize. However, Stoltenberg told Reuters the conversation focused on tariffs and an upcoming meeting with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. He declined to comment on the Nobel Prize rumors.

Nobel Committee chair Jorgen Watne Frydnes stated that the selection process considers the “complete picture,” including both accomplishments and personal conduct. “We take the complete picture into account… The whole organization or the complete personality of that person matters, but what we first and foremost look at is what they have been actually achieving for the sake of peace,” Frydnes said.

Governor Newsom, in response to Trump’s efforts to secure the prize, previously criticized the former president. In August 2025, he said, “He’s a wartime president. He’s the head of a war party, war on women, war on voting rights, war on Hispanics, war on this state, war on institutions. This guy’s trying to get a Nobel Peace Prize… He’s bringing war to the American people.”

As of now, Gavin Newsom has not responded to the satirical rumor regarding his alleged Nobel Peace Prize win. Further updates are expected as the official announcement draws near.