In a striking political gesture, former US President Donald Trump was presented with a Nobel Peace Prize medal by Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado during a meeting at the White House on Thursday, 15 January 2026.
A Controversial Presentation
Speaking to reporters outside the US Capitol after the encounter, Ms Machado confirmed she had given the physical medal to Trump. She told Sky News US correspondent James Matthews that the act was in "recognition for his unique commitment with our freedom." The move comes after Machado won the prestigious award the previous year, a decision that had reportedly displeased the Trump administration at the time.
White House communications director Steven Cheung had previously criticised the Nobel Committee, stating it had "proved they place politics over peace" by selecting Machado. Following her own acceptance of the prize in Oslo, Machado had dedicated it to the people of Venezuela and to Trump for his "decisive support" for the opposition cause.
The Nobel Committee's Firm Stance
However, the Norwegian Nobel Committee has been unequivocal in its response to the idea of sharing the accolade. In a clear statement, the committee asserted: "A Nobel Prize can neither be revoked, shared, nor transferred to others." It emphasised that once announced, the decision stands for all time.
Addressing speculation ahead of the White House meeting, the committee reiterated its position on social media platform X, formerly Twitter. It noted that while "a medal can change owners, the title of a Nobel Peace Prize laureate cannot," citing two historical examples of medals being passed on. It remains unclear whether Trump, who has long been reported to covet the prize, has formally accepted the physical medal.
Political Calculations and Lukewarm Relations
Sky's James Matthews, speaking on The World with Yalda Hakim, suggested Machado was "trying to push all the buttons" of the president to keep Venezuelan politics—and its vast oil reserves—firmly on his agenda. The symbolic presentation occurs amidst a complex political landscape in Venezuela.
Trump's relationship with Machado has been notably cool since he lost out on the prize. Following the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro by US forces in a raid on Caracas earlier in January 2026, Trump publicly backed the country's vice president, Delcy Rodríguez, to succeed him. He stated that Machado was "not respected" enough to lead the nation.
Prior to the meeting, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the president's assessment as being "based on realities on the ground," adding that his opinion on Machado's suitability had not changed. She noted that Venezuela's new leadership under Rodríguez had been "extremely cooperative."
Ultimately, Trump did not address Machado's gesture during a press conference after their meeting, leaving the diplomatic and symbolic impact of the medal's transfer uncertain. The day also saw continued US pressure on Venezuela, with the US military's Southern Command confirming the seizure of another sanctioned tanker, the Veronica, in the Caribbean.
