In a striking display of presidential fixation on international recognition, President Donald Trump expressed enthusiasm on January 8, 2026, about potentially receiving the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize from Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado during their upcoming White House meeting. However, the Norwegian Nobel Institute swiftly intervened, firmly stating that the prestigious award cannot be transferred or shared, effectively ending any notion of an official handover.
The drama began with the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, awarded to Machado in October 2025 “for her tireless work promoting democratic rights for the people of Venezuela and for her struggle to achieve a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy.” Upon receiving the honor, Machado publicly dedicated it to Trump, crediting his administration’s support for democratic efforts in her country amid the ouster of former President Nicolás Maduro.
Machado reiterated her willingness to “share” the prize with Trump in a Fox News interview earlier in January 2026, describing it as a gesture of gratitude from the Venezuelan people for U.S. actions that contributed to Maduro’s removal. Trump, appearing on Sean Hannity’s show on January 8, responded positively: “I understand she’s coming in the next week sometime… that would be a great honor.” He went on to tout his own foreign policy achievements, claiming he had “stopped eight wars” and calling the Nobel Committee’s past decisions a “major embarrassment to Norway.”
Behind the scenes, some Trump allies reportedly pushed for this symbolic transfer. The effort aimed to satisfy the president’s long-standing desire for the Nobel Peace Prize while potentially securing his endorsement for Machado’s role in Venezuela’s post-Maduro transition. Reports suggested friction earlier, with sources indicating Trump had hesitated to back Machado as a successor partly because she accepted the prize rather than declining it in his favor.
The Norwegian Nobel Institute, which administers the prize, quickly quashed the idea. A spokesperson told media outlets, including The Daily Beast, on January 9: “A Nobel Prize can neither be revoked nor transferred to others. Once the announcement of the laureate(s) has been made, the decision stands for all time.” The statement emphasized that while the laureate is free to dispose of the accompanying prize money (approximately $1 million) as they wish, the recognition itself remains permanent and non-transferable.
This episode highlights Trump’s persistent pursuit of the Nobel accolade, which he has sought for years, often citing his diplomatic interventions. In lieu of an official Nobel, he has received alternative honors, such as a custom “FIFA Peace Prize” presented by FIFA president Gianni Infantino following the 2025 snub.
As Machado prepares for her Oval Office visit next week, any exchange of the physical medal would be purely ceremonial and unrecognized by the Nobel Committee. The incident has drawn widespread commentary, with critics viewing it as emblematic of ego-driven diplomacy, while supporters frame it as appreciation for U.S. involvement in promoting freedom abroad.
The Nobel Committee’s rules remain unchanged: the 2025 prize belongs solely to María Corina Machado, and Trump’s quest for the honor continues to face formal barriers.
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