In a highly symbolic move, the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize laureate has personally presented her award to former US President Donald Trump during a meeting at the White House.
A Controversial Presentation
Maria Corina Machado, the Venezuelan opposition figure who was awarded the prestigious peace prize last year, says she handed over her medal to Trump in the Oval Office on the afternoon of 15 January 2026. The gesture was made, she stated, in recognition of what she called "his unique commitment with our freedom".
This act follows a period of intense speculation about Machado's political future. Earlier this month, a US-led military intervention spearheaded by Trump deposed the long-standing Venezuelan dictator, Nicolas Maduro. Many observers had expected Machado to be installed as the country's interim leader in the aftermath. However, reports indicated that Trump had cooled on the idea, partly because Machado had not previously offered him her Nobel honour.
The Stunt and the Official Rebuttal
In the weeks since the invasion, Machado made several appearances on American news channels. Analysts interpreted these as an attempt to persuade the US president to reconsider her for a leading role in a new Venezuelan government.
Following rumours that she planned to give the prize to Trump, the Nobel Committee issued a firm clarification. They stated unequivocally that a Nobel Prize is non-transferable. "Once a Nobel Prize is announced, it cannot be revoked, shared, or transferred to others. The decision is final and stands for all time," the committee's announcement read.
Diplomatic and Symbolic Repercussions
The event underscores the unconventional and deeply personal nature of diplomacy during the Trump administration's return to power. While the physical medal may have changed hands, the Nobel Foundation's rules mean the official accolade and its associated prestige remain solely with Machado.
The meeting and the presentation are likely to be viewed as a potent political symbol, reinforcing the alliance between Trump and certain factions of the Venezuelan opposition. It also raises immediate questions about the future governance of Venezuela and the role the United States intends to play in its political reconstruction.
