‘He never did anything to promote peace’: Trump repeats David Schoen’s attack on Nobel laureate Navi Pillay | Today’s news
US President Donald Trump has stepped up criticism of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Navi Pillay by republishing a statement by prominent US trial and appellate lawyer David I Schoen, who accused the former UN human rights chief of hostility towards the US and Israel.
What was the post about Navi Pillay that Trump reposted?
The statement, shared by Trump on the Truth Social on Friday, October 9, questioned the Norwegian Nobel Committee’s decision to award Pillay the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize.
Schoen described the decision as a serious blow to the prize’s reputation, arguing that Pillay had never contributed to peace. These are Schoen’s claims, not verified findings.
Schoen’s post about Navi Pillay, which Trump reposted on Truth Social. (Screengrab – Truth Social)
In his post, Schoen called Pillay “an unashamed hater of America and Israel” and accused her of glorifying terrorists and rewarding Hamas. He also criticized the UN investigation into Israel’s conduct in Gaza, describing it as a “sham investigation” that concluded Israel committed genocide, and called for criminal prosecution.
He wrote: “Today the Nobel Committee shamed itself beyond repair and humiliated the once great Nobel Peace Prize by awarding it to Navi Pillay of the UN. Pillay is an unabashed hater of America and Israel. In her position she glorified terrorists and rewarded Hamas. She conducted a bogus “investigation” and claimed to have found that Israel had never committed any genocide and violence. She did a cause for peace. But what did you expect from the committee that previously awarded the once-coveted peace prize to Yasser Arafat (sic).
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The lawyer lined up Pillay’s recognition with what he described as Trump’s contribution to international peace and security.
Schoen cited the Abraham Accords, which established diplomatic relations between Israel and several Arab states, and praised Trump’s efforts to secure the release of hostages, address Iran’s role in regional security and end the Russia-Ukraine war.
He added: “President Trump gave us the Abrahamic Accords the world said would be impossible and now he’s expanding them! He brought home hostages when all seemed hopeless! He’s trying to end the war between Russia and Ukraine, stop Iran, the number one sponsor of international terrorism, and try to rebuild Gaza despite the terrorists’ best efforts to control it. intended for recognition and reward @realDonaldTrump (sic).”
David I Schoen is a prominent American trial lawyer who served as one of Donald Trump’s defense attorneys during his second impeachment trial in the US Senate in 2021 following the January 6 Capitol riots.
Trump named Schoen to his legal team alongside Bruce Castor to defend him against charges of inciting insurrection. Their professional relationship stems from this significant legal commitment rather than any known family connection. Schoen continued to publicly support Trump’s positions.
Why did Navi Pillay win the Nobel Peace Prize?
On 9 October, the Norwegian Nobel Committee announced Pillay as the 2026 laureate, recognizing her long-standing work in the field of international justice and the rule of law.
Pillay, a South African lawyer of Indian Tamil descent, previously served as the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and as a judge at international courts. Her legal career has included work on atrocity accountability and high-profile cases involving sexual violence and genocide.
Read also | Who is Navi Pillay? Meet the Indian-origin lawyer who won the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize
The award has drawn criticism from Israeli leaders and others who question its approach to Israel and the Palestinian territories. Meanwhile, supporters praised her commitment to international law and justice for victims of serious crimes.
Trump’s repost puts the Nobel award at the center of a wider dispute over international justice, the Gaza conflict and the role of global institutions. It also highlights the stark contradiction in whether Pillay’s work represents an effort to uphold international law or, as her critics claim, reflects a bias against Israel.
