🏅 Nobel Foundation Clarifies: Machado’s Peace Prize Medal Cannot Be Handed to Trump

Days after Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado handed over her Nobel Peace Prize 2025 medal to United States President Donald Trump, the Nobel Foundation released a statement clarifying that awards cannot be “symbolically” transferred to others.

“A prize cannot, even symbolically, be passed on or further distributed,” the Foundation said in its statement on Sunday, adding that one of its primary responsibilities is to “safeguard the dignity of the Nobel Prizes and their administration.” It further emphasized that Alfred Nobel’s will clearly stipulates that the prizes must be awarded only to those who “have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind,” and specifies which institutions have the authority to confer each prize.

This clarification followed Machado’s meeting with Trump at the White House on December 15, where she presented him with her medal, describing the gesture as recognition of his “unique commitment to Venezuela’s freedom.” Trump later confirmed the exchange in a post on Truth Social, saying he had “accepted” the prize from her. Her visit coincided with reports that Trump had “chosen” Delcy Rodriguez to serve as interim president of Venezuela after the capture of Nicolas Maduro by U.S. forces earlier in the month.

The Nobel Committee had already stated earlier that prizes cannot be “revoked, shared, or transferred,” and after Machado’s gesture, the Norwegian Nobel Institute reiterated that the award remains inseparably tied to the individual or organization officially named as the laureate.

On Truth Social, Trump wrote, “It was my Great Honor to meet María Corina Machado, of Venezuela, today. She is a wonderful woman who has been through so much. María presented me with her Nobel Peace Prize for the work I have done. Such a wonderful gesture of mutual respect. Thank you María!” Machado’s trip also included meetings with members of the U.S. Congress.

Trump’s fascination with the Nobel Peace Prize has been longstanding. He has often expressed frustration at not receiving the honor, noting that at least four former U.S. presidents have been laureates, including Barack Obama, whose joke about the award has become a meme linked to Trump’s decision to run for office. His pursuit of a “peace legacy” has seemingly influenced major policy decisions, ranging from trade tariffs on India to leadership changes in Venezuela. Trump has repeatedly claimed he “ended eight wars” and criticized Norway for not awarding him the prize, posting, “Norway, a NATO Member, foolishly chose not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize.”

When Machado was selected for the Nobel last year, she publicly dedicated the award to Trump. However, he did not prioritize her role in his plans for Venezuela after Maduro. Eventually, she traveled to the U.S. and personally presented him with the medal, framed and all.