Tesla CEO Elon Musk Nominated for Nobel Peace Prize: Here’s Why

Elon Musk has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.

A Norwegian lawmaker recommended him for this year’s Nobel Peace Prize.

News broke on the 20th (local time) through The New York Post that Elon Musk, founder and CEO of Tesla and owner of social media X (formerly Twitter), has been nominated for this year’s Nobel Peace Prize.

According to local media, Norwegian lawmaker Marius Nilsen (of the Progress Party), who has the right to nominate candidates, introduced Musk as a “staunch supporter of freedom of expression,” praising, “In a polarized world, Musk advocates for dialogue and freedom of expression, enabling individuals to express their views.”

He continued, “Through SpaceX, Musk provided a satellite network called “Starlink” to Ukrainian soldiers in crisis after Russia’s invasion. He operates several tech companies that aim for a better society, increase knowledge about the Earth and space, and make communication and connection possible worldwide. His companies are helping to connect the world and make it a safer place.”

He emphasized that “Musk’s contributions are more than enough to deserve an award.”

Elon Musk, who Nilsen recommended, is indeed on the list of this year’s Nobel Peace Prize nominees.

Regardless of the qualifications or selection of the winner, if a person with the right to nominate simply makes a recommendation, they can be listed as a candidate.

According to the Norwegian Nobel Committee, which decides the Nobel Peace Prize laureates, the right to nominate candidates is given to academics studying peace issues, lawmakers (in Norway), and previous laureates. Every year, hundreds of people are nominated for the Peace Prize.

In the past, the threshold for nomination was lower, so Hitler and former President Chun Doo Hwan were able to be candidates in this category.

The Nobel Committee closed the acceptance of candidates last month. After review, the winner will be announced in October. The award ceremony will be held in Oslo, Norway, on December 10, the end of the year.

The Nobel Peace Prize medal. An image to aid understanding of the article, EPA Yonhap News file photo / Yonhap News

Meanwhile, the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded to individuals or organizations that have contributed to human welfare, according to the will of Alfred Nobel, the founder of the Nobel Prize and a Swedish inventor and entrepreneur.

Last year’s Peace Prize was awarded to Iranian women’s rights activist Narges Mohammadi. Mohammadi, a leader in human rights movements, democracy movements, and anti-death penalty movements, was sentenced to a total of 31 years (154 lashes) by the Iranian government for her struggle for human rights and freedom.

Arrested in 2021 for participating in a protest commemorating the victims of anti-government protests, she is currently imprisoned after being sentenced to 12 years in prison for spreading inflammatory propaganda. She received the Peace Prize while in prison.

Former President Kim Dae Jung (winner in 2000) was the first to receive this award among Koreans. Former President Kim was recognized for his long struggle for democracy and human rights over 40 years and for easing tensions on the Korean Peninsula by bringing about the June 15th South-North Joint Declaration, making him the 81st person in the world to win the Nobel Peace Prize.

The Nobel Prize Committee keeps the list of nominees confidential (not disclosed for 50 years), but it does not pose a problem if the nominees themselves disclose it.