Donald Trump has long expressed a desire to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, a recognition widely regarded as one of the most prestigious global honors. While he has never officially won the award, recent events involving Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado have placed him at the center of an unusual Nobel-related story.
The 2025 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Machado for her “tireless work promoting democratic rights for the people of Venezuela and for her struggle to achieve a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy.” Trump, who had publicly expressed disappointment at not receiving the award, acknowledged the decision with characteristic commentary. Speaking after the announcement on December 10, he stated:
”When you put out eight wars, in theory, you should get [a Nobel Peace Prize] for each war. It makes me feel so good. Not because of a Nobel Prize, but because I saved millions and millions of lives, and that’s what really makes me feel good.”
This was not his first public expression of frustration regarding the prize. In February 2025, he remarked:
”They will never give me a Nobel Peace Prize. I deserve it, but they will never give it.”
The story took a surprising turn on January 15, when Machado met Trump in Washington, D.C., and presented him with her Nobel Peace Prize medal. Speaking to reporters afterward, she said:
”I presented the president of the United States the medal, the Nobel Peace Prize.”
Machado explained that the gesture was meant to recognize Trump’s role in supporting Venezuela’s freedom. A framed presentation accompanying the medal read:
”Presented as a personal symbol of gratitude on behalf of the Venezuelan people in recognition of President Trump’s principled and decisive action to secure a free Venezuela.”
Trump shared the moment on his social media platform, Truth Social, posting:
”Maria presented me with her Nobel Peace Prize for the work I have done. Such a wonderful gesture of mutual respect.”
Machado drew a historical parallel as she exited the White House, referencing a 200-year-old connection between the United States and Venezuela. She noted that General Lafayette had given Simón Bolívar a medal featuring George Washington’s face, which Bolívar kept for life. Machado framed her gift to Trump as a symbolic continuation of this historic bond, representing the mutual fight for freedom between the people of the two countries.
While Trump praised the gesture, he previously downplayed Machado’s prospects in Venezuelan politics. He stated that her chances of leading Venezuela were “very tough” due to limited domestic support and respect.
In other developments related to U.S.-Venezuelan relations, Trump said he had held a productive conversation with acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez. This marked their first direct contact since the ouster and capture of Nicolás Maduro. During a bill signing in the Oval Office, Trump said:
“We had a call, a long call. We discussed a lot of things. And I think we’re getting along very well with Venezuela.”
Earlier, Trump announced that he had “cancelled the previously expected second Wave of Attacks” on Venezuela after the government released a number of political prisoners. He confirmed that “all ships will stay in place for safety and security purposes.”
The Nobel Peace Prize is awarded through a structured process that begins with nominations from qualified individuals, which cannot include self-nominations. The selection process involves several stages:
Nominations are received from qualified persons.
The nomination deadline closes on January 31.
A shortlist is created in March.
Advisors conduct reviews through June.
The Nobel Committee votes, requiring a majority.
The winner is announced in October, followed by the formal ceremony between October and December.
Despite the symbolic gesture, the Nobel Peace Prize cannot be transferred or shared. The Norwegian Nobel Institute confirmed that “once a Nobel Prize is announced, it cannot be revoked, shared, or transferred to others.” The official record remains unchanged: María Corina Machado is the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize laureate. Trump’s receipt of the medal represents a personal recognition from Machado but does not alter the official designation.
The unusual situation underscores both the ceremonial and symbolic weight of the Nobel Peace Prize, while highlighting the unique dynamics of international recognition and political gestures. Though Trump now possesses the physical medal, the historical record continues to reflect Machado’s achievements and contributions to democratic efforts in Venezuela.
