Nobel Committee Breaks Silence After Peace Prize Recipient Gifts Her Medal To Trump

The Nobel Committee issued a sharp rebuke before Maria Corina Machado decided to give her Nobel Peace Prize medal to Donald Trump.

The US president was seen beaming from ear-to-ear when he received the prestigious award from the Venezuelan opposition leader.

“Trump looks like he finally won the lottery lol,” one commented online.

Maria Corina Machado decided to give her Nobel Peace Prize medal to Donald Trump

Peace Prize recipient speaking at a press conference amid discussions of gifting her Nobel medal to Trump.

Image credits: Rune Hellestad/Getty Images

María Corina Machado, who won the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, gifted the 18-karat gold medal to Donald Trump during a meeting at the White House on Thursday, January 15.

In the past, Trump has openly expressed his desire to win the Nobel Prize and happily accepted Machado’s gesture.

Nobel Peace Prize medal and certificate presented to Maria Corina Machado, highlighted in a close-up photo of hands holding them.

Image credits: Per Ole Hagen/Getty Images

The Venezuelan opposition leader said she decided to present the medal to him “because he deserves it.”

“I decided to present the Nobel Peace Prize medal on behalf of the people of Venezuela,” she said in an interview with Fox News.

The Venezuelan opposition leader said she decided to present the medal to the US president “because he deserves it”

Nobel Committee members engaged in discussion after peace prize recipient gifts her medal to Trump in formal setting.

Image credits: Tom Williams/Getty Images

Machado spoke to reporters outside the White House following the meeting, saying: “We can count on President Trump.”

“I presented the president of the United States the medal of the Nobel Peace Prize,” she added.

Former President Trump holding framed Nobel Peace Prize medal gifted by recipient, with Nobel Committee response following the event.

Image credits: Daniel Torok/The White House/Getty Images

Comment from Sophie Hanson questioning if receiving an Olympic gold medal makes her an Olympic gold medalist.

Trump posted a message on social media and called the move “a wonderful gesture.”

“It was my Great Honor to meet Machado Corina Machado, of Venezuela, today. She is a wonderful woman who has been through so much,” he wrote on Truth Social.

“María presented me with her Nobel Peace Prize for the work I have done. Such a wonderful gesture of mutual respect. Thank you Maria!” he added.

The Nobel committee said the prestigious prize cannot be revoked, shared, or transferred to others

Nobel Committee clarifies rules on Nobel Peace Prize medal ownership and title transfer following Peace Prize recipient's gift to Trump.

Image credits: NobelPeaceOslo

The Nobel Committee, however, issued a statement before the White House meeting.

They asserted that the prize was not transferable, thus making Machado’s move purely symbolic.

“Once a Nobel Prize is announced, it cannot be revoked, shared, or transferred to others,” the committee said on social media last week. “The decision is final and stands for all time.”

Nobel Committee member addressing reporters amid media crowd, phones, and microphones during press interaction.

Image credits: Telemundo English

Comment by Gábor Dunai suggesting the Nobel Committee withdraw the medal and issue another one after Peace Prize recipient gifts her medal to Trump.

Trump has lamented not receiving a Nobel Peace Prize on several occasions in the past. He has publicly campaigned for the honor, saying he has ended eight wars.

Last October, he complained about former President Barack Obama for winning the Nobel Peace Prize shortly after taking office in 2009.

“He got a prize for doing nothing,” he said from the Oval Office on October 9. “Obama got a prize, he didn’t even know what he got. He got elected and they gave it to Obama for doing absolutely nothing but destroying our country.”

“He was not a good president,” he added.

Trump has lamented not receiving a Nobel Peace Prize on several occasions in the past

Close-up of a Nobel Peace Prize medal displayed against a dark background with intricate engravings.

Image credits: NobelPeaceOslo

Comment on social media discussing Nobel Committee and Peace Prize recipient gifting medal to Trump, with reactions shown.

During Trump’s first presidential term from 2017 to 2021, he said during a press conference that the then-Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe nominated him for the Nobel Peace Prize.

“I think I can say this: Prime Minister Abe of Japan gave me the most beautiful copy of a letter that he sent to the people who give out a thing called the Nobel Prize,” Trump said during a press conference at the White House in February, 2019.

“He said, ‘I have nominated you, or, respectfully, on behalf of Japan, I am asking them to give you the Nobel Peace Prize.’ I said, ‘Thank you,’” the outspoken leader continued.

Protester holding Venezuelan flag with US Capitol in background amid Nobel Committee peace prize discussion.

Image credits: Anna Rose Layden/Getty Images

Comment by Christian Richaud discussing a leading role opportunity in the new government of Venezuela.

The reality TV star-turned-President said he still probably will “never get” the prize, even though many “feel” he deserves it.

“I’ll probably never get it. But that’s okay,” he said. “They gave it to Obama. He didn’t even know what he got it for. He was there for about 15 seconds and he got the Nobel Prize. He said, ‘Oh, what did I get it for?’ With me, I probably will never get it.”

Image credits: Associated Press

Netizens shared their thoughts on social media after Machado gifted her prize to Trump.

“Sounds very suspicious doesn’t it,” read one comment, while another said, “She knows how to play him.”

“How very disrespectful to everything the Nobel committee stands for. It’s as if they are both flipping the Nobel committee the bird!” read one comment.

“Shhhh, just let him think he won something. Lol,” another said.

One wrote, “Everyone needs to send their old participation trophies to him!”

“She knows how to appeal to his ego,” read one comment online

Nobel Committee statement amid controversy as Peace Prize recipient gifts her medal to Trump during public discussion.

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Comment from Richard L Smith joking about the Peace Prize medal being used as a drink coaster in Florida.

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Comment by Terry West discussing the Peace Prize medal and certificate gifted to Trump after the Nobel Committee's silence.

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