Did Elon Musk really get nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize? Turns out, yes—but not in the way you might think.

In late January 2025, posts started circulating on X (formerly Twitter), claiming that Elon Musk had received a nomination for the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize. While these posts lacked details, they weren’t entirely false.

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Branko Grims, a Slovenian Member of the European Parliament (MEP), confirmed that he had officially nominated Musk for the award. He shared the news on January 29, posting a screenshot of the nomination email. His reasoning? Musk’s “consistent support for the fundamental human right of freedom of speech.”

Grims, a member of the European People’s Party (Christian Democrats), was joined by other co-signatories, including fellow EU Parliament members, national assembly members, and university professors. However, their names weren’t publicly disclosed.

A spokesperson from Grims’ office confirmed the nomination, but it’s important to note that the Norwegian Nobel Institute does not announce nominees or confirm their eligibility.

This isn’t the first time Musk’s name has been floated for a Nobel Prize. Reports indicate that he was among the 286 nominees for the 2024 prize, though he ultimately didn’t win.

Adding to the intrigue, Musk’s nomination came just days after Donald Trump’s second inauguration as U.S. president. Musk, who donated $200 million to Trump’s campaign, was appointed head of a new Department of Government Efficiency. Coincidence?

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