Fox News Hosts Clash Over Controversial FIFA "Peace Prize" Awarded To Trump

On-Air Clash Over FIFA Peace Prize

Fox News co-hosts Greg Gutfeld and Gillian Turner engaged in a heated exchange during a Friday night episode of The Five after FIFA President Gianni Infantino presented a new FIFA "Peace Prize" to President Donald Trump at a ceremony held at the Kennedy Center.

Immediate Sparks

Gutfeld opened the segment with a sardonic remark: "I also love that the peace prize from FIFA, it didn’t go to like Greta Thunberg or some silly little peace activist." Turner shot back: "Because it was created for the president," and added that there were no other candidates, arguing, "It wasn’t like Trump beat out other people for the prize."

Gutfeld: "What’s your beef with this? What’s your problem?"

Turner: "I didn’t say he didn’t deserve it. I said it’s not going to help him in his quest to get the Nobel Peace Prize."

When Turner questioned why FIFA needed a peace award, co-host Jesse Watters interjected bluntly: "Because they’re kissing his butt, because he’s hosting the game." Gutfeld defended the presentation as recognition of the president's international efforts, saying Trump has been "basically brokering peace," and insisted, "Why shouldn’t he get a peace prize?"

Context And Reactions

Reporters and commentators have framed the newly announced FIFA Peace Prize — which some say was created so Infantino could present it to Trump ahead of the 2026 World Cup — as a symbolic honor intended to flatter the president rather than a competitive award decided among multiple nominees.

Before the presentation, a narrator in a video introducing the prize said, "The annual prize recognizes an individual who has taken extraordinary action for peace, and in doing so, helped unite people across the globe." In his acceptance remarks, Trump called the award "truly one of the great honors of my life" and used the platform to boast about World Cup ticket sales: "The world is a safer place now... we’re the hottest country anywhere in the world, and we’re going to keep it that way."

The segment also noted Trump's long-standing interest in the Nobel Peace Prize and reports that he has lobbied officials on the matter. In October, Trump did not receive the Nobel Peace Prize; that award went to María Corina Machado, a vocal critic of Nicolás Maduro and a Trump ally. Observers say the FIFA honor is widely viewed as a consolation or an attempt to curry favor ahead of the 2026 tournament.

Why It Matters

The exchange on The Five highlights how politicized symbolic awards can become and how media figures interpret such gestures differently — as genuine recognition, political theater, or strategic flattery. The dispute also underscores broader debate about the role of international organizations and public relations in awarding honors.