In a highly symbolic and politically charged gesture, former US President Donald Trump has accepted a Nobel Peace Prize medal from Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado. The presentation took place during a meeting at the White House on Friday, 16 January 2026.
A Controversial Handover at the White House
Speaking to reporters outside the US Capitol after her meeting with the president, Ms Machado confirmed she had given her medal to Mr Trump. She told Sky News US correspondent James Matthews that the act was in "recognition for his unique commitment with our freedom".
A White House official, briefing NBC News, stated that Mr Trump, who has long coveted the accolade, accepted the medal, calling it a "wonderful gesture of mutual respect". The president later echoed this sentiment on his Truth Social platform, writing: "María presented me with her Nobel Peace Prize for the work I have done. Such a wonderful gesture of mutual respect. Thank you María!"
Nobel Committee Rejects Transfer of Laureate Status
The decision to award the 2025 peace prize to Ms Machado had previously drawn criticism from the Trump camp. Last year, White House communications director Steven Cheung commented that "the Nobel committee proved they place politics over peace".
However, the Norwegian Nobel Committee has been unambiguous in its response to the idea of sharing the award. In a firm statement, the committee declared: "A Nobel Prize can neither be revoked, shared, nor transferred to others. Once the announcement has been made, the decision stands for all time."
Ahead of the meeting, speculation about the handover prompted the committee to clarify further on social media, noting that while a physical medal can change owners, the title of Nobel Peace Prize laureate cannot.
Political Calculations and Shifting Alliances
Analysts suggest the gesture was a calculated political move. James Matthews of Sky News noted that Ms Machado was "trying to push all the buttons" of the American president, aiming to keep Venezuelan politics and its substantial oil reserves firmly on his agenda.
The meeting occurred against a complex backdrop. Earlier in January, US forces captured Venezuela's president, Nicolas Maduro, in a raid on Caracas. In the aftermath, Mr Trump publicly backed the country's vice president, Delcy Rodríguez, to succeed him, stating that Ms Machado was "not respected" enough to lead.
Prior to the White House meeting, press secretary Karoline Leavitt defended this assessment as being "based on realities on the ground", adding that Venezuela's new leadership had been "extremely cooperative".
Whether the symbolic gift of the Nobel medal will alter Mr Trump's stance remains unclear. The president did not publicly address the gesture in a press conference following their meeting, leaving the long-term diplomatic implications yet to be seen.
