The organization responsible for the Nobel Peace Prize has formally dismissed the possibility of Venezuelan opposition figure María Corina Machado sharing or transferring her recently awarded prize to former U.S. President Donald Trump. In a definitive statement, the Norwegian Nobel Institute emphasized the immutable nature of the honour.
The Nobel Committee's Final Word
On Friday, the Norwegian Nobel Institute issued a brief but firm clarification, putting an end to speculation. The institute stated that once a Nobel Peace Prize is announced, it cannot be revoked, transferred, or shared with other individuals. The decision, they underscored, is final and stands for all time.
This declaration came directly in response to comments made by Machado earlier in the week. During an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity on Monday, the laureate expressed a desire to personally offer the prize to Trump. She credited him with overseeing the U.S. operation that led to the capture of Venezuela's authoritarian president, Nicolás Maduro, who faces drug trafficking charges in New York.
Machado's Intentions and Trump's Response
"I certainly would love to be able to personally tell him that we believe — the Venezuelan people, because this is a prize of the Venezuelan people — certainly want to, to give it to him and share it with him," Machado told Hannity. She described Trump's actions as "historic" and a major step toward democratic transition in Venezuela.
Machado had initially dedicated the prize to Trump and the Venezuelan people shortly after its announcement in December 2025. Trump, who has openly coveted the Nobel Peace Prize since returning to office, responded to the gesture. He called Machado a "very nice woman" but questioned her current support base within Venezuela for governing.
In a subsequent interview with Hannity on Thursday, Trump confirmed Machado plans to visit him next week and referred to the potential Peace Prize offering as a "great honour."
Political Realities in Venezuela
Despite the symbolic gesture, Trump has so far endorsed acting President Delcy Rodríguez, who served as vice president under the captured Maduro, to govern Venezuela in the interim. This highlights the complex political landscape Machado navigates, even with international recognition.
The Nobel Institute's statement serves as a reminder of the award's strict protocols, ensuring the integrity of the prize remains separate from the political manoeuvring and personal gestures that often surround its recipients.
