FIFA President Gianni Infantino described Trump as his “close friend” during the award ceremony.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino awarded President Donald Trump the first ever “FIFA Peace Prize,” an award that was created just weeks after Trump failed to win the Nobel Peace Prize.
Infantino described Trump as his “close friend” during the ceremony at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., which took place during the FIFA World Cup draw.
“This is your prize, this is your peace prize,” he told Trump, awarding him a trophy, a certificate, and a medal.
“This is truly one of the great honors of my life,” Trump said in accepting the award.
For several weeks after the award was announced in early November, commentators have speculated that the award was a sham and would be going to Trump, given his friendship with Infantino and his visible dismay at having lost the Nobel Peace Prize.
According to the international soccer organization’s website, the FIFA peace prize is granted to “individuals who, through their unwavering commitment and their special actions, have helped to unite people all over the world in peace and consequently deserve a special and unique recognition.”
The award came the same week that the U.S. Institute of Peace added Trump’s name to the outside of their building, which now reads, “Donald Trump United States Institute of Peace.
