Machado Presents Nobel Peace Prize to Trump

In a highly symbolic gesture amid Venezuela’s ongoing political upheaval, Nobel Peace Prize winner and opposition leader María Corina Machado presented her Nobel medal to U.S. President Donald Trump during a private meeting at the White House on Thursday, framing the act as a tribute to his commitment to Venezuelan freedom.

A Historic Encounter at the White House

Speaking after the meeting, Machado described the moment as historic for Venezuelans, noting that it marked her first in-person meeting with Trump. The encounter took place weeks after U.S. forces seized Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in Caracas and charged him with drug trafficking offenses.

Trump later acknowledged the gesture on social media, calling it “a wonderful gesture of mutual respect.” He added that meeting Machado was “a great honor,” describing her as “a wonderful woman who has been through so much.”

No Formal Endorsement, But Public Praise

Despite the warm language, Trump has stopped short of endorsing Machado as Venezuela’s new leader. Her opposition coalition claims victory in the country’s widely disputed 2024 elections, but Washington continues to engage primarily with Venezuela’s acting head of state, Delcy Rodríguez, Maduro’s former vice president.

Trump has previously referred to Machado as a “freedom fighter,” yet argued that she lacks sufficient domestic backing to formally lead the country during the transition period.

“We Can Count on President Trump”

After leaving the White House, Machado addressed supporters gathered outside the gates, telling them in Spanish that Venezuelans could count on Trump’s support. Later, speaking to journalists in English, she confirmed that she had presented the Nobel Peace Prize medal to the U.S. president, calling it “a recognition for his unique commitment to our freedom.”

The gesture carried particular weight given Trump’s long-standing desire to receive the Nobel Peace Prize himself and his reported dissatisfaction when the award was granted to Machado last year.

Nobel Committee Draws a Clear Line

The Nobel Committee swiftly clarified that while a medal may physically change hands, the Nobel Peace Prize itself is neither transferable nor shareable. “Once a Nobel Prize is announced, it cannot be revoked, shared, or transferred,” the committee said, emphasizing that the decision is final for all time.

The Nobel Peace Center echoed this position, stating that ownership of the medal does not alter the identity of the laureate.

“Because He Deserves It”

In a televised interview with Fox News, Machado described the moment she handed President Trump her Nobel Peace Prize medal as deeply emotional. Speaking to host Rachel Campos-Duffy, she was asked directly why she chose to present the medal to Trump. “Because he deserves it,” Machado replied.

A Symbol Rooted in Shared History

Machado framed the act within a broader historical narrative, recalling how the Marquis de Lafayette once presented a medal bearing George Washington’s likeness to Simón Bolívar. She described her gesture as a modern reflection of that legacy, symbolizing shared resistance against tyranny and a bond between the Venezuelan and American people.

“Two hundred years later,” she said, “the people of Bolívar are returning a medal to the heir of Washington.”

Congressional Meetings and Political Pressure

During her Washington visit, Machado also met with U.S. senators, while supporters chanted “María, presidente” and waved Venezuelan flags nearby. She was widely expected to use her time in Washington to persuade Trump that backing Rodríguez’s interim government was a strategic mistake.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt described Machado as “a remarkable and brave voice for many Venezuelans” and said Trump anticipated a frank discussion about current conditions inside the country.