Trump claims credit for Nobel Prize awarded to quantum mechanics pioneers

Friday 31 October 2025 - 16:50

By: Dakir Madiha

Trump claims credit for Nobel Prize awarded to quantum mechanics pioneers

Former President Donald Trump sparked controversy after attempting to take credit for the 2025 Nobel Prize in Physics, awarded to three scientists for groundbreaking research in quantum mechanics conducted decades before his presidency. Posting on Truth Social, Trump declared, "Trump 47 gets its first Nobel Prize!!" despite having no direct connection to the award.

Decades-old research earns global recognition

The Nobel Prize, announced on October 7, was awarded to John Clarke of UC Berkeley, Michel H. Devoret of Yale, and John M. Martinis of UC Santa Barbara for their pioneering work in quantum mechanics during 1984 and 1985 at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Their research demonstrated quantum phenomena on a macroscopic scale, laying the groundwork for modern quantum computing.

Trump’s statement, attributed to Energy Secretary Chris Wright, claimed that "quantum computing, alongside AI and fusion, are the three hallmark scientific efforts of Trump." However, critics noted that Trump’s administration significantly reduced funding for science programs, including budget cuts of 15–20% at the Berkeley lab where the Nobel-winning research was conducted.

Criticism from scientists and political figures

The claim drew sharp criticism from political opponents and scientists. California Governor Gavin Newsom called Trump’s statement "pathetic," writing on X, "The President of the United States is so desperate for a Nobel he’s now trying to claim someone else’s prize as his own."

Adding to the controversy, John Clarke, one of the Nobel laureates, had previously criticized Trump’s science policies. Speaking to AFP, Clarke expressed concern over "mass dismissals of government scientists and drastic funding cuts to scientific and medical research programs," describing them as "a severe problem" that could "cripple much of America’s scientific progress." He warned that it might take a decade to recover from the setbacks caused by such policies.

A long-standing Nobel obsession

Trump’s attempt to associate himself with the Nobel Prize highlights his ongoing fascination with the award. He has repeatedly claimed he deserves "four or five" Nobel Prizes, particularly for peace, and has often voiced frustration over Barack Obama’s receipt of the honor during his presidency.

Earlier this month, the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, who publicly dedicated her recognition to Trump. Despite this gesture, Trump’s connection to the Physics Prize was widely mocked on social media, with critics pointing out his lack of involvement in the scientific achievements and his administration’s adversarial stance toward research funding.