John Legend says he wants Trump to win Nobel Peace Prize with conditions

John Legend told fans he hopes Donald Trump could earn the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize if he changes key policies
PUBLISHED OCT 12, 2025
John Legend shared his thoughts on Donald Trump and the Nobel Peace Prize on Instagram (@johnlegend/Instagram)
John Legend shared his thoughts on Donald Trump and the Nobel Peace Prize on Instagram (@johnlegend/Instagram)

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by John Legend (@johnlegend)


 

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Grammy-winning artist John Legend surprised fans when he revealed he was “rooting” for Donald Trump to win the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize, though not for the reasons people might expect. The 45-year-old singer shared a lengthy Instagram post outlining the changes Trump would need to make to deserve the prestigious honor.

According to Legend, while a peace deal between Israel and Gaza could be meaningful, the president would first need to make significant changes at home and abroad.

 John Legend attends Gold House 4th Annual Gold Gala at The Music Center on May 10, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Olivia Wong/WireImage)
John Legend attended Gold House 4th Annual Gold Gala at The Music Center in Los Angeles (Olivia Wong/WireImage)

John Legend says Trump must ‘earn’ Nobel Peace Prize

“I actually want him to win the Nobel Peace Prize,” Legend said in his Instagram video, “but he’s got to earn it.” He listed several areas Trump would need to address to genuinely promote peace, including withdrawing the National Guard from American cities, ending ICE operations targeting immigrant communities, and stopping overseas missile strikes. “If he really wants to win the Nobel, he has to start at home,” Legend said. “You can’t talk about peace globally while waging conflict locally.”

'The Voice' Season 25 coach John Legend (Instagram/@nbcthevoice)
John Legend appeared on 'The Voice' Season 25 promoting his coaching role (@nbcthevoice/Instagram)

Singer believes in ‘positive reinforcement’

Legend explained that becoming a father has influenced how he now approaches people including Trump. “Having kids has taught me something. Sometimes positive reinforcement works better than negative,” he said. “We’ve tried indictments, impeachments, even voting him out. Maybe now we try encouragement.”

John Legend (Instagram/@chrissyteigen)
John Legend reflected on fatherhood and how it shaped his perspective on leadership (@chrissyteigen/Instagram)

He admitted that while he disagrees with most of Trump’s policies, he hopes appealing to the president’s desire for recognition might motivate him to make meaningful changes.

Some supporters think Trump has done enough

Legend acknowledged that some Trump supporters believe the 79-year-old has already earned the Nobel Peace Prize, citing his claimed international deals. But Legend stressed more work is needed. “If he really wants to make history, he can,” he said. “But peace is more than a headline. It’s action.”

U.S. President Donald Trump talks to the media before boarding Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House on September 21, 2025 in Washington, DC. President Trump will travel to Arizona to pay tribute to conservative activist Charlie Kirk at a memorial and return to the White House this evening. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)
Donald Trump spoke to media before boarding Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House (Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)

Fans praised Legend for advocating accountability through hope rather than hostility. 

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