n a jaw-dropping announcement that has set social media platforms like Threads on fire, Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol declared on August 2, 2025, that Cambodia will nominate U.S. President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize. The shocking move, revealed just minutes ago in Phnom Penh, praises Trump for his “unmatched deal-making genius” in brokering a ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand, ending a deadly border conflict that claimed 43 lives and displaced over 300,000 people. Chanthol boldly claimed, “Trump’s the only leader who could’ve pulled this off—peace through strength!” But whispers of ulterior motives, tied to trade deals and tariff reductions, are fueling a global debate that’s exploding online. 

The conflict, centered around the Ta Moan Thom temple and rooted in century-old border disputes from French colonial times, erupted into violence after a landmine explosion injured Thai soldiers, triggering airstrikes and rocket fire. Initial mediation attempts by Malaysia and China failed, with both nations rejecting third-party involvement. Enter Trump, whose high-stakes phone call last week—backed by a threat of crippling 49% tariffs on both countries—forced Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thailand’s Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai to the negotiating table in Malaysia. The ceasefire, announced on July 28, 2025, in Putrajaya, marked the first truce in a decade. “Without Trump’s iron fist, we’d still be at war,” Chanthol told reporters, also thanking him for slashing U.S. tariffs on Cambodian goods from 49% to 19%, saving the nation’s garment industry from collapse.

This nomination, Cambodia’s first for a U.S. president, is Trump’s third Nobel nod in 2025, following endorsements from Pakistan for his role in easing India-Pakistan tensions and from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for supporting Israel’s war with Hamas. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt took to X, proclaiming, “President Trump made peace happen—Nobel Prize NOW!” Supporters on Threads are ecstatic, with posts like “Trump’s saving the world, one deal at a time! ” going viral. Yet, critics are calling it a “diplomatic bribe,” alleging Cambodia’s nomination is a ploy to secure further trade concessions. One Threads user fumed, “He threatened their economy to force peace—Nobel or extortion?” The controversy is amplified by Trump’s recent tariffs on 70 countries, with some accusing him of using economic pressure as a geopolitical weapon.

The Thai-Cambodian ceasefire, while a significant achievement, isn’t without skeptics. Reports of minor skirmishes persist, and human rights groups have condemned Thailand’s use of cluster munitions, which Thailand justified as legal. The conflict’s roots—disputes over colonial-era borders—remain unresolved, raising questions about the ceasefire’s longevity. Chanthol, also Cambodia’s top trade negotiator, hinted at hopes for tariff exemptions, leading some to speculate that the nomination is less about peace and more about appeasing Trump. “This is just Cambodia kissing up to avoid tariffs,” a political analyst posted on Threads, sparking thousands of reactions. Others argue Trump’s “peace through strength” approach, including his tariff threats, is exactly what forced both nations to back down.

The Nobel Peace Prize, awarded for advancing “fellowship between nations,” has 338 nominees this year, including 244 individuals and 94 organizations. The Norwegian Nobel Committee, which keeps nominations secret for 50 years, will announce the winner on October 10, 2025, in Oslo. Trump’s track record, however, is under scrutiny. His June 2025 airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities after Israeli attacks raised Middle East tensions, prompting former Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt to call Israel’s nomination of Trump “flattery, not merit.” Critics on Threads are digging deeper, with one viral post reading, “Nobel for a guy who bombs one country and ‘saves’ another? Make it make sense!” Yet, Trump’s defenders argue his unorthodox style—blending threats with diplomacy—gets results where traditional approaches fail.

The announcement has turned Threads into a battleground of memes and hot takes, from eagle emojis  celebrating Trump’s “alpha energy” to crying faces  decrying the nomination as a farce. The debate is also reigniting discussions about Trump’s global influence, with some praising his ability to bend nations to his will, while others see it as dangerous coercion. “He’s either the world’s greatest peacemaker or its biggest bully,” one user posted, racking up thousands of shares. The reduced 19% tariff rate, down from a threatened 49%, has been a lifeline for Cambodia’s economy, but it’s also raised eyebrows about the nomination’s true motives.

As the world reacts, Cambodia’s bold move has thrust Trump into the spotlight once again. Will the Nobel Committee see him as a visionary leader or a controversial strongman? With the ceasefire holding but tensions simmering, and trade deals hanging in the balance, this nomination is a lightning rod for global discourse. Click the link to join the fiery debate on Threads and decide for yourself: Is Trump the “President of Peace” or a master of calculated chaos?