Amanze Chinonye
Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado on Thursday presented her Nobel Peace Prize medal to U.S. President Donald Trump during a private White House meeting, a symbolic gesture aimed at influencing Washington’s role in shaping Venezuela’s political future.
A White House official confirmed that Trump intends to keep the medal. Machado described the meeting, which lasted slightly over an hour and marked their first in-person encounter, as “excellent,” saying the gift recognised what she called Trump’s commitment to the freedom of the Venezuelan people.
The White House later released photographs showing Trump holding a large, gold-coloured framed display of the medal. Accompanying text read: “To President Donald J. Trump, in gratitude for your extraordinary leadership in promoting peace through strength,” describing the presentation as a “personal symbol of gratitude on behalf of the Venezuelan people.”
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Machado’s overture comes after Trump dismissed the idea of installing her as Venezuela’s leader following the removal of former president Nicolás Maduro, who is now facing legal proceedings in New York. Analysts say the move reflects efforts by Machado to regain influence after relations with members of Trump’s team reportedly cooled amid concerns over her movement’s ability to stabilise the country.
Trump has long expressed interest in winning the Nobel Peace Prize and openly campaigned for the honour before Machado received it last month, later complaining publicly when he was passed over. Asked on Wednesday whether he wanted Machado to give him the prize, Trump told Reuters: “No, I didn’t say that. She won the Nobel Peace Prize.”
READ ALSO : Venezuelan Opposition Leader María Corina Machado Awarded 2025 Nobel Peace Prize for Championing Democracy
Despite the handover of the gold medal that accompanies the award, Nobel authorities have reiterated that the honour itself remains exclusively with Machado. In a January 9 statement, the Norwegian Nobel Institute said Nobel Prizes cannot be revoked, shared or transferred. The Nobel Peace Center reinforced that position on social media, stating: “A medal can change owners, but the title of a Nobel peace prize laureate cannot.”
Trump later acknowledged the presentation 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!” He did not post an image of the medal.
Machado, who received the prize last year for her campaign against what she has described as Maduro’s “brutal, authoritarian state,” said the gesture was personal rather than institutional. She compared it to an 1825 episode in which the Marquis de Lafayette sent a gold medal bearing George Washington’s image to South American independence hero Simón Bolívar, calling it a symbol of shared struggle against tyranny.
After the White House meeting, Machado held talks with more than a dozen U.S. senators from both major parties on Capitol Hill, where she has generally found more receptive allies.
While Trump may now possess the physical Nobel Peace Prize medal, Nobel officials have underscored that, under the statutes of the Nobel Foundation, the prize itself remains non-transferable and firmly attached to its original recipient.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
