Trump slams Nobel Peace Prize winner as “mystery person” in New York rally

President Donald Trump took aim at this year’s Nobel Peace Prize winner during a rally in Syracuse, New York, on Friday, calling the recipient a “mystery person,” saying he should have won instead.

“Today they gave out the Nobel Peace Prize to a person I never heard of. Nobody did. It’s a mystery person,” Trump said, adding that the decision was “an indelible stain” on the country of Norway, which hosts the Nobel committee.

South African jurist Navanethem “Navi” Pillay won the Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts to promote peace and international law. The Norwegian Nobel Committee praised her commitment to justice and human dignity as “a source of hope and inspiration to all who seek to bring about a more peaceful world.”

Trump again talked about how he has ended multiple wars and conflicts, saying he had “settled eight wars” and was about to “settle or win two more,” referring to Iran and the Russia-Ukraine war.

Trump rallied supporters at Syracuse’s Oncenter in support of Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman, who is seeking to unseat Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul. Local reports described the venue as packed. Boxing legend Mike Tyson also joined Trump at the rally, while hundreds of protesters gathered outside.

Trump Takes Swipes at NY Leaders After Bronx ICE Shooting

Trump’s visit comes a day after a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)-involved shooting in the Bronx’s Marble Hill neighborhood sparked protests and prompted New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Hochul to call for a halt to enforcement operations.

Trump addressed the incident during his remarks Friday night, slamming New York’s sanctuary policies—saying they are designed to protect criminals.

“Just yesterday, our heroes of ICE apprehended a man with a criminal record a mile long who was wanted for possible murder, and murder in a gang,” Trump said. “He’s a very dangerous man and they got him. But instead of being praised, ICE was scorned by New York politicians who set him loose, they want to set him loose.”

On Friday, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin ruled out a halt to immigration enforcement. “We’re not putting a pause on enforcement,” he told reporters. “I’m sorry, we’re not. In fact, I’m not sorry.”

Oscar Belgal, 28, was shot Thursday afternoon during what authorities described as a “targeted enforcement operation.”

The Department of Homeland Security told Newsweek that Belgal is a Dominican national who is in the U.S. illegally and has a prior conviction for grand larceny. The department also cited prior arrests in which he was accused of assault, robbery, drug possession and weapons possession, as well as alleged associations with the Trinitarios gang.

A judge has since temporarily blocked his deportation while the court reviews his legal challenge.

Hochul said she had spoken with the mother of the 5-year-old boy who was in the car at the time of the shooting.

“Last night, I spoke with the mother of the five-year-old boy who was in the backseat when ICE agents opened fire on his father’s car,” Hochul wrote on X. “Thank God she isn’t planning a funeral for her little boy today.”

She said Trump confirmed that ICE would not return to the family, following their phone call Thursday.

Videos Show Protesters Escorted Out of New York Rally

Three protesters heckled Trump during his nearly 90-minute speech and were escorted out.

“You know they’re all paid protesters, right?” Trump said.

Moments later, another protester began shouting as the crowd chanted “USA” and booed.

Trump said, “His mother just called him, ‘Get out of there, son.’”