Chicago – January 16, 2026
Venezuelan opposition figure María Corina Machado said she handed her Nobel Peace Prize medal to President Donald Trump during a meeting at the White House on Thursday, even as he has cast doubt on her ability to lead Venezuela after U.S. forces removed Nicolás Maduro from power.
The Nobel Institute has clarified that she cannot officially transfer the award to Trump, a prize he has long sought. Despite the act being largely symbolic, it was notable because Trump has marginalized Machado, who has been a prominent voice against Maduro, and has indicated he may instead work with acting President Delcy Rodríguez, Maduro’s former deputy.
Machado told reporters she gave Trump the medal in recognition of what she described as his strong commitment to freedom. Trump later shared on social media that she left the medal with him and called her gesture an honor.
