Venezuelan Opposition Leader María Machado Presents Her Nobel Peace Prize to Trump During White House Visit

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado presented her Nobel Peace Prize to US President Donald Trump during a meeting at the White House on January 15.

According to Reuters, Machado said the decision to give the award to Trump was a “recognition of his commitment to the freedom of the Venezuelan people.”

The White House later released a photo of the meeting, showing Trump holding a large gold frame containing the prize.

“To President Donald J. Trump. In gratitude for your extraordinary leadership in promoting peace through strength, advancing diplomacy, and defending liberty and prosperity,” the inscription read.

Trump acknowledged receiving the award, describing it as “a wonderful gesture.”

“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!” he wrote in a post on Truth Social.

Donald Trump has repeatedly returned to the topic of the Nobel Peace Prize, saying, “I want to be treated fairly,” while stressing that although he does not claim to be seeking the award, he has “stopped seven wars” and therefore deserves recognition.

At the same time, his inner circle launched a public media push in support of a potential nomination. Posts calling for Trump to receive the prize appeared even on the official White House account, citing support from other world leaders.

According to Bloomberg, US Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff raised the issue of Trump’s possible nomination in talks with European governments, while Trump himself called Norway’s finance minister and former NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in the summer of 2025 to discuss the prize.

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At the same time, Trump rejected suggestions that the United States might pursue a military operation against Russian leader Vladimir Putin, similar to a recent US action in Venezuela.

Asked by a journalist whether such a scenario was conceivable, Trump said, “I don’t think that will be necessary.”

Speaking to oil and gas executives, he added that he had previously maintained strong ties with the Russian leader, saying, “I’ve always had a great relationship with him. I’m very disappointed.”

Earlier, it was reported that White House representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are planning a possible trip to Moscow in the coming weeks to hold talks with Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

The visit is part of US President Donald Trump’s push to move forward with negotiations aimed at ending Russia’s war against Ukraine, according to people familiar with the discussions.

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