Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado presented her 2025 Nobel Peace Prize medal to U.S. President Donald Trump during a visit to the White House on January 15.
The gesture was symbolic and aimed at gaining political support while honoring what she described as Trump’s role in shaping Venezuela’s future. Machado said the medal represented respect and recognition rather than a formal transfer of the award.
Donald Trump responded positively, calling the moment a “wonderful gesture of mutual respect.” The meeting drew international attention and sparked discussion across political and diplomatic circles.
Many viewed the medal presentation as a sign of goodwill and an attempt to strengthen ties during a sensitive period in Venezuelan politics.
However, the Norwegian Nobel Committee later clarified an important point. The Nobel Peace Prize cannot be officially transferred, shared, or awarded to another person by a previous winner.
While a physical medal can be handed over as a personal or symbolic act, the official title of Nobel Peace Prize laureate remains only with the original recipient. In this case, María Corina Machado remains the sole laureate, and the gesture does not change the official status of the award.
The incident highlights how symbolic acts in politics can attract global attention while also leading to misunderstandings. It also reinforces the strict rules surrounding prestigious international awards like the Nobel Peace Prize.
