Trump Accepts Nobel Peace Prize Medal From Venezuela’s Opposition Leader María Corina Machado at White House Meeting
Venezuelan opposition figure María Corina Machado on Thursday presented her Nobel Peace Prize medal to former United States President Donald Trump during a meeting at the White House, describing the gesture as a tribute to what she called his steadfast commitment to the freedom of the Venezuelan people. A White House official, who spoke to PulseNets, confirmed that Trump plans to retain the medal.
In a post shared on social media shortly after the meeting, Trump characterised the presentation as “a remarkable sign of mutual respect”, expressing appreciation to Machado for the honour. Images released by the White House showed Trump holding the framed gold medal, which carried an inscription that read: “To President Donald J. Trump, in gratitude for your exceptional leadership in advancing peace through strength — a personal token of appreciation from the Venezuelan people.”
Writing later on Thursday, Trump stated: “Maria presented me with her Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of the work I’ve done. It was a truly meaningful gesture of mutual respect. Thank you, Maria.”
Machado, according to information obtained by PulseNets, described the engagement as “excellent,” explaining that the medal was offered as a symbolic expression of gratitude for Trump’s role in backing Venezuela’s struggle for freedom. The meeting comes only weeks after U.S. forces captured President Nicolás Maduro in Caracas and arraigned him on drug-trafficking charges, a development that has significantly reshaped Venezuela’s political landscape.
Although Machado handed over the physical medal, the Nobel Peace Prize itself legally remains hers. The Norwegian Nobel Institute has clarified that the award cannot be transferred, shared, or withdrawn. Ahead of the White House meeting, the Nobel Peace Center reiterated that “while a medal may change hands, the status of a Nobel Peace Prize laureate does not.” It further stressed that “once a Nobel Prize is announced, it is final for all time and cannot be revoked, shared, or reassigned.”
PulseNets learnt that Trump had previously voiced interest in receiving the prestigious prize and was reportedly displeased when he was overlooked before Machado’s recognition.
The White House disclosed that the discussion, which lasted just over an hour, marked the first face-to-face meeting between Trump and Machado. During her Washington visit, Machado also held talks with more than a dozen U.S. senators on Capitol Hill, where she reportedly found support across both Republican and Democratic lines.
Despite warmly receiving her, Trump stopped short of endorsing Machado as Venezuela’s next leader. He continues to engage with Delcy Rodríguez, Maduro’s former vice president, who currently serves as interim leader. Trump has publicly commended Rodríguez for her cooperation with Washington, particularly on matters relating to U.S. strategic interests, access to Venezuela’s oil sector, and plans for economic reconstruction.
Machado, who fled Venezuela in December through a dramatic sea escape, is using her time in Washington to secure a central role in shaping the country’s political transition. She has consistently warned that repression persists in Venezuela, even under the interim administration, and has renewed calls for credible democratic elections.
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During her U.S. engagements, Machado underscored the necessity of sustained international backing for Venezuela’s democratic transition, amid ongoing debates surrounding the legitimacy of recent elections and the actions of the interim government.
While the handover of the Nobel Peace Prize medal was largely symbolic, PulseNets reported that the move reflects Machado’s broader strategy to consolidate U.S. support, reinforce her political relevance, and keep global attention on Venezuela’s opposition movement at a defining moment in the nation’s history.
