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Venezuela's Maria Corina Machado gives Nobel Peace Prize to Trump
This was during their lunch meeting.
January 16, 2026, 01:18 PM
Venezuelan Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Corina Machado has gifted her award to U.S. President Donald Trump during their private lunch meeting on Jan. 15, 2026.
In a Truth Social post, Trump wrote that it was his "great honour to meet María Corina Machado, of Venezuela, today".
“Maria presented me with her Nobel Peace Prize for the work I have done. Such a wonderful gesture of mutual respect. Thank you Maria!”
According to CNN, Machado left the medal at the White House, under the president's possession.
Sidelined by Trump
Machado is a prominent figure of the Venezuelan democratic forces.
The 58-year-old Venezuelan activist was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize on Oct. 10, 2025.
She beat Trump to the coveted medal despite his repeated claims and campaigns for it.
Trump made his displeasure known.
On Jan. 3, the U.S. conducted a military intervention and captured Nicolas Maduro and his wife.
In a speech on the same day, Trump said, "We're going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition."
Machado was sidelined by Trump in the ensuing power vacuum.
Speaking to reporters, Machado stated that she "presented the president of the United States the medal of the Nobel Peace Prize" in "recognition for his unique commitment with our freedom", stated the BBC.
She stated that the gift was "a sign of brotherhood" between the two countries in their fight for "freedom against tyranny".
Nobel Prize decision is final
In an X post on Jan. 15, the Norwegian Nobel Committee has made it clear that the award cannot be shared or transferred.
“Once a Nobel Prize is announced, it cannot be revoked, shared, or transferred to others. The decision is final and stands for all time.”
The post also stated that the medal can change hands, but not the title.
"A medal can change owners, but the title of a Nobel Peace Prize laureate cannot."
The #NobelPeacePrize medal.
It measures 6.6 cm in diameter, weighs 196 grams and is struck in gold. On its face, a portrait of Alfred Nobel and on its reverse, three naked men holding around each other’s shoulders as a sign of brotherhood. A design unchanged for 120 years.
Did… pic.twitter.com/Jdjgf3Ud2A
— Nobel Peace Center (@NobelPeaceOslo) January 15, 2026
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Top photo from The White House/Instagram.
