Venezuela’s opposition leader Machado presents Nobel medal to Trump

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado presented her 2025 Nobel Peace Prize medal to President Trump during a White House meeting on Thursday, in a bid to influence how US shapes Venezuela’s political future. 

Machado won this Nobel prize last year for promoting democratic rights and a peaceful transition in Venezuela. She handed it to Trump as a gesture of gratitude for his apparent support of Venezuelan freedom. 

In a social media post President Trump said, “Machado presented me with her Nobel Peace Prize for the work I have done,” calling the act “a wonderful gesture of mutual respect.” 

An official from the White House reported that Trump intends to keep the medal, though the Norwegian Nobel Institute has clarified that the Peace Prize cannot be transferred, shared or withdrawn.

Trump has so far not endorsed for Machado to replace Maduro, expressing doubts about her political backing. However, he showed support for interim President Rodríguez, whom he has described as “very good to deal with.” 

Machado fled Venezuela last December and is seeking international support for democratic governance. The offer of the Nobel medal to Trump is an attempt by Machado to get his support in securing Venezuela’s leadership.