Machado Gives Nobel Medal to Trump at White House Meeting
Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado presented her Nobel Peace Prize medal to U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday during a White House meeting, aiming to influence U.S. policy on Venezuela.
A White House official said Trump intends to keep the medal. Trump later wrote on social media that Machado had given him the prize in recognition of his work, calling it a gesture of mutual respect. Machado said the gift reflected what she described as Trump’s commitment to the freedom of the Venezuelan people.
The White House released a photograph of Trump holding a framed, gold-coloured medal with an inscription praising his leadership and describing the gesture as a symbol of gratitude from the Venezuelan people.
The move came after Trump rejected the idea of backing Machado to lead Venezuela following the capture of Nicolas Maduro. Although Machado handed over the physical medal, the Nobel Peace Prize remains hers, as the honour cannot be transferred.
The meeting, lasting just over an hour, was their first in-person encounter. Machado later met with senators from both parties, while the White House said Trump maintained his view that she lacks the support needed to lead the country in the short term.
Trump has said he is focused on securing U.S. access to Venezuelan oil and rebuilding the economy, and has spoken positively about interim President Delcy Rodriguez, who took power after Maduro’s capture.
