Obama omits Trump in Gaza peace praise, but Don Jr fills the gap: 'I'll finish it for you'

WASHINGTON, DC: As celebration and gratitude poured in for Trump’s efforts in attaining the historic Gaza peace deal, former President Barack Obama notably avoided mentioning Donald Trump while expressing relief over the breakthrough. Not missing a beat, Trump’s son, Donald Trump Jr, fired back with a sharp jab mocking Obama’s silence.

To provide context on Trump’s global efforts, on Wednesday evening, October 8, Trump announced that Israel and Hamas had both signed off on the first phase of his proposed peace agreement, a major milestone toward ending the Gaza conflict. By Thursday, October 9, the president confidently declared the deal “all finalized and done.”

Obama’s incomplete celebration of Gaza peace deal fixed by Don Jr

Barack Obama deliberately avoided naming Donald Trump while celebrating the Gaza peace deal, delivering an unexpected snub to the president.

Posting on social media, Obama expressed relief, "After two years of unimaginable loss and suffering for Israeli families and the people of Gaza, we should all be encouraged and relieved that an end to the conflict is within sight; that those hostages still being held will be reunited with their families; and that vital aid can start reaching those inside Gaza whose lives have been shattered."

He added, "More than that, though, it now falls on Israelis and Palestinians, with the support of the US and the entire world community, to begin the hard task of rebuilding Gaza – and to commit to a process that, by recognizing the common humanity and basic rights of both peoples, can achieve a lasting peace."

Mocking Obama’s silence, Trump’s son, Donald Trump Jr, quickly jumped in with a sarcastic message on X: “I’ll finish it for you. Thank you, Donald Trump.”  

Trump criticizes Obama's Nobel Peace Prize win

Earlier, Trump criticized Obama in the Oval Office for winning the Nobel Peace Prize for “doing nothing” when asked if he expected to receive the award himself. Trump declared, "I've stopped eight wars, so that's never happened before — but they'll have to do what they do. Whatever they do is fine. I know this: I didn't do it for [the Nobel Peace Prize], I did it because I saved a lot of lives.”

Obama earned the Nobel Prize in 2009, just eight months into his first term — a move that surprised many worldwide. Even the liberal New York Times called the award “very premature” and argued that the Nobel Peace Prize “should have a higher bar.” 

Top Democrats praise Trump’s role in historic Gaza peace deal

While Obama chose to snub Trump, several prominent liberals openly praised the president’s role in securing the peace deal. Senator Chris Coons, a close ally of Biden and former congressional staffer, called the moment one "for optimism,” highlighting the hopeful prospect that 20 families might soon reunite with their living hostages.

Senator Tim Kaine expressed his satisfaction with the Republican-led Israel–Hamas agreement. “I applaud President Trump and the team and all for getting to this step,” Kaine said. “The release of the hostages [is] such good news, and obviously, we have to see how it progresses.” 

Illinois Senator Dick Durbin, the Senate’s second-ranking Democrat, also welcomed the deal, though he avoided directly naming Trump. “I'm very heartened by it,” Durbin said. “I hope it ends the conflict in Gaza as quickly as possible."

Known for his independent streak, Senator John Fetterman — one of the most vocal Senate supporters of Israel — went even further. He declared that if Trump continues to broker peace and ends ongoing conflicts, he would nominate him for the Nobel Peace Prize.

“I think the whole point of having a Nobel Peace Prize is for ending wars and promoting peace,” Fetterman told Fox News. “And if he brings the Ukrainian war to its end, I will be the Democrat leading the committee for his Nobel Prize for ending both of these terrible wars."