U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday met with Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado at the White House, where Machado presented him with her Nobel Peace Prize medal in a highly symbolic gesture aimed at reinforcing his support for Venezuela’s democratic movement. The meeting marked their first in-person encounter since the political crisis in Venezuela escalated earlier this month.
After the meeting, Trump praised Machado on his Truth Social platform, describing her as “a wonderful woman who has been through so much” and saying she had given him “her Nobel Peace Prize for the work I have done,” calling it “a wonderful gesture of mutual respect.”
Machado told reporters as she left the White House and headed to Capitol Hill that she had presented Trump with “the medal, the Nobel Peace Prize” as a tribute to what she described as his “unique commitment with our freedom.”
Symbolic Gesture, Not Official Transfer
While Trump accepted the medal and plans to keep it, the Norwegian Nobel Institute has made clear that the Peace Prize itself cannot be transferred or shared and remains Machado’s award. Under Nobel rules, once a Peace Prize is announced it cannot be revoked or reassigned to someone else.
The gesture highlighted the complex political dynamics surrounding Venezuela’s future. Machado, who won the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts to promote democratic rights and a peaceful transition away from authoritarian rule, has been seeking broader international backing after months in hiding in Venezuela and exile abroad.
Trump, however, has expressed doubts about Machado’s viability as a national leader, saying previously that she lacked sufficient domestic support to lead Venezuela. Instead, his administration has signalled support for acting president Delcy Rodríguez, who had been the deputy to former president Nicolás Maduro before his capture.
After the White House meeting, Machado greeted cheering supporters outside, telling them, “We can count on President Trump,” which prompted chants of “Thank you, Trump.”
The discussion in Washington came against the backdrop of Venezuela’s continuing political uncertainty. Maduro was removed from power earlier this month following a U.S.-backed operation, but there remains little clarity on when democratic elections might be held or who will ultimately lead the country.
