Machado presents her Nobel Peace Prize Medal to President Trump.

January 16 2026

In a politically charged gesture, Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado presented her 2025 Nobel Peace Prize medal to President Donald J. Trump during a meeting at the White House on Thursday, a White House official confirmed. Trump, who posted about the event on social media, intends to keep the medal, though Nobel Committee statutes make clear the prize itself cannot legally be transferred.

Machado, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize last year for her sustained advocacy for democratic rights and a peaceful transition away from authoritarian rule in Venezuela, framed the presentation of her medal as a symbolic expression of gratitude for Trump’s “commitment to freedom.” She told reporters after the meeting that she gave Trump the Nobel medal in recognition of his role in supporting Venezuelan freedom.

The White House shared a photograph of Trump and Machado holding the framed medal, accompanied by a plaque that read, “To President Donald J. Trump In Gratitude for Your Extraordinary Leadership in Promoting Peace through Strength, Advancing Diplomacy, and Defending Liberty and Prosperity.” According to the official account, the presentation was intended as a “personal symbol of gratitude on behalf of the Venezuelan people.”

Trump acknowledged the gesture in a Truth Social post, describing it as “a wonderful gesture of mutual respect” and saying it was his “great honour” to meet Machado, whom he called “a wonderful woman who has been through so much.” He did not comment on any official change in laureate status, consistent with Nobel Prize rules stipulating that the Nobel Peace Prize title remains with the original winner even if the physical medal changes hands.

The meeting came amid ongoing political turbulence in Venezuela following the U.S. led capture of former President Nicolás Maduro earlier this month. Machado’s gesture was interpreted by analysts as a diplomatic overture aimed at solidifying U.S. support for her leadership aspirations at a time when Washington’s engagement with Venezuela remains a subject of intense debate.

Following the White House visit, Machado proceeded to meet with several U.S. senators on Capitol Hill to discuss Venezuela’s political future and the transition toward democratic elections, though she did not announce any formal commitments from Washington.

Sources: Reuters, ABC.