In a controversial political gesture, Venezuelan opposition figure María Corina Machado has given her Nobel Peace Prize medal to former U.S. President Donald Trump. The event followed a White House meeting and comes amidst heightened tensions following a recent American military intervention in Venezuela.
A Controversial Gift and a Contentious Backdrop
Machado described her meeting with Trump on Thursday as "excellent" and stated she presented the medal to him in recognition of his "unique commitment with our freedom." A White House official confirmed that Trump is keeping the physical medal.
This act is set against a volatile recent history. Less than two weeks prior, the United States launched a military operation in Venezuela that resulted in approximately 100 casualties. During that raid, forces captured the country's president, Nicolás Maduro, and his wife, Cilia Flores, from their home.
Following the attack, Trump publicly backed interim president Delcy Rodriguez, an ally of Maduro, while simultaneously questioning Machado's domestic support and respect within Venezuela.
Official Reactions and Institutional Rules
The Nobel Committee has been clear in its response, reiterating that the Nobel Peace Prize cannot be shared or transferred to another person. The awarding of the prize by the Committee is the official recognition; the medal itself is considered a symbolic receipt.
Trump, however, celebrated the gesture on his Truth Social platform. He called Machado a "wonderful woman who has been through so much" and described the meeting as his "Great Honor." In his post, he wrote, "María presented me with her Nobel Peace Prize for the work I have done. Such a wonderful gesture of mutual respect. Thank you María!"
Widespread Skepticism and Social Media Mockery
The reported handoff sparked immediate and widespread criticism and satire online. Many users pointed out the fundamental difference between possessing a medal and earning the award.
Key criticisms from social media include:
- The act was sarcastically dubbed the "Nobel Appease Prize," referencing Trump's past assertions that he deserved the honor.
- Users drew comparisons to fictional or symbolic claims of achievement, suggesting Trump received the prize "in the way that Michael Scott declared bankruptcy."
- Many emphasized that accepting someone else's award does not equate to winning it, with analogies to receiving a Super Bowl ring or an Oscar.
- Some commentators tied the gesture directly to the recent military action, with one user noting the irony of "handing my nobel peace prize to the guy who bombed my country."
Further mockery speculated about the medal's future, suggesting it could become "the most embarrassing thing that ever happened to a Nobel prize" until it potentially appears for sale online years later. Others framed it as a "participation trophy" for Trump.
The incident highlights the complex and often performative nature of international political alliances, while also testing the protocols and perceived value of one of the world's most prestigious awards.
