Fact Check: Was Elon Musk nominated for Nobel Peace Prize?

AUSTIN, TEXAS: Multi-billionaire Elon Musk has often been the topic of viral rumors on the internet. Over the past few months, many rumors about the Tesla magnate surfaced across social media where most of these were fake and created to gain traffic, or were just satirical posts by some websites.

However, a recent rumor on social media about Elon Musk mentioned that the Space X CEO has been nominated for the Noble Peace Prize. But is there any truth to this? Let us find out below.

Claim: Elon Musk nominated for Nobel Peace Prize

A rumor circulated online in late January claiming that tech entrepreneur Elon Musk has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.

A user on X (formerly Twitter) posted, "BREAKING: Elon Musk nominated for Nobel Peace Prize," while a different user also claimed, "Elon Musk has been nominated for the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of his efforts to protect free speech."

These posts did not feature any further information or links to news media outlets which made it skeptical to believe the rumor.

True: Branko Grims confirms Elon Musk's nomination

However, despite the doubts, the rumors spread across social media are true as Branko Grims, a Slovenian member of the European Parliament, confirmed his nomination of Musk for the Noble Peach Prize, according to Snopes. 

He wrote in an X post on Wednesday, January 29, "The proposal that Mr Elon Musk, for his consistent support for the fundamental human right of freedom of speech and thus for peace, receives the Nobel Peace Prize 2025, was successfully submitted today. Sincere thanks to all the co-proposers and everyone who helped with this challenging project!"

He attached a screenshot of a confirmation mail stating, "Your nomination for the Noble Peace Prize 2025 has been successfully submitted. The Norwegian Noble Committee appreciates your effort in making this nomination."

Notably, Grims' nomination of Musk took place days after the second inauguration of President Donald Trump, who on January 20, his first day back in the White House, signed an executive order establishing the Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency.

In December 2024, Grims said in an interview with the Brussels Signal, "I propose that Elon Musk receives the Nobel Peace Prize for the next year because he did much more for the freedom of speech, which is a basic human right, much more than anybody else in the third millennium."

Elon Musk's calls to prosecute researchers and critics worry free speech advocates

Elon Musk has in the past two years called for several of his opponents to be prosecuted, and free speech advocates believe they could have overlooked it if he was only an ordinary private citizen, stated NBC News in November 2024. 

Nadine Strossen, a past president of the American Civil Liberties Union and a professor of law emerita at New York Law School, said at the time, "If Elon Musk is appointed to some position within the administration, he will continue to jawbone — pressure others to be punished for their speech — and that raises very serious free speech concerns."

She said in an interview, "In our system, the idea of holding somebody criminally liable for something they say is so antithetical to the concept of free speech."

Strossen and other free speech advocates said at the time that they were concerned that Musk could use his influence to strike out at his enemies or make changes that would help him do so, such as suggesting personnel for the Justice Department.