Former President Barack Obama’s recent social media post in praise of the Israel-Hamas peace breakthrough has sparked a wave of criticism from right-wing voices and White House officials — all pointing to one notable omission. On Thursday, Obama posted on X that “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 went on, “More than that, though, it now falls on Israelis and Palestinians, with the support of the U.S. 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.”
Notably absent in his remarks was any direct mention of Donald Trump, despite Trump being broadly credited by Republicans for facilitating the first phase of a peace deal. Trump had announced on Wednesday that Israel and Hamas had agreed to a plan to release hostages and begin peace talks.
That omission drew sharp responses. “I’ll finish it for you. ‘Thank you, Donald Trump,’” replied Donald Trump Jr. Meanwhile, White House Director of Communications Steven Cheung posted on X, “Say his name… PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP.”
Trump adviser Alex Bruesewitz posted, “Hey Barack, you forgot the words ‘Thank you, President Trump!’” Richard Grenell, Trump’s former envoy, shared Obama’s post and commented, “The fire starter is praising the firemen.” Tennessee Congress member Tim Burchett added, “You forgot thank you @realDonaldTrump.”
And Missouri Senator Eric Schmitt minced no words, “He couldn’t even utter Trump’s name. Obama was the most divisive President in modern American history, and even in a moment of great accomplishment and peace, he couldn’t be a unifier. Sad.”
These reactions followed a heated exchange earlier in the day. After a meeting with Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Trump lashed out at Obama. He mocked Obama’s Nobel Peace Prize, claiming, “Obama got a prize for doing nothing. Obama got a prize, but he didn’t even know what he got. He got elected, and they gave it to Obama for doing absolutely nothing but destroying our country.”
Trump also dismissed comparisons between his own record and Obama’s. “My election was a much more important election,” he argued. Asked about his chances for the Nobel Prize this year, Trump, speaking at the press conference, claimed, “I’ve stopped eight wars. Nobody in history has solved eight wars in a period of nine months… I did it because I saved a lot of lives.”
The Nobel Committee is expected to announce this year’s Peace Prize winner in Oslo on Friday, with formal ceremonies following on December 10, the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death. Obama previously won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2009 “for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples.”