Historic White House Meeting: Machado Presents Nobel Peace Prize Medal to President Trump

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado presented her 2025 Nobel Peace Prize medal to U.S. President Donald J. Trump as a symbolic gesture of honor during a meeting at the White House. Machado said the medal was offered in recognition of Trump’s “unique and historic commitment” to Venezuela’s freedom and democratic future.

The high-profile meeting took place on Thursday, January 15, 2026, in the Oval Office, just hours after Machado met with a bipartisan group of U.S. senators. Following the meeting, Machado described her discussion with President Trump as having gone “very well,” emphasizing productive talks about Venezuela’s political future.

Machado was awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts to promote democracy, human rights, and peaceful political change in Venezuela. She said her decision to present the medal reflected appreciation for the role played by the United States, particularly under President Trump’s leadership, in reshaping Venezuela’s political landscape.

President Trump responded on Truth Social, calling the gesture “a wonderful sign of mutual respect” and thanking Machado for the honor. According to a White House official, Trump intends to keep the Nobel medal as a symbolic memento.

However, the Norwegian Nobel Institute has clarified that Nobel Peace Prizes cannot be officially shared, transferred, or reassigned. Machado remains the sole and official Nobel Peace Prize laureate, and Trump’s possession of the physical medal carries no formal or legal significance.

The meeting also underscored U.S. interest in Venezuela’s democratic transition. Discussions focused on future elections, political legitimacy, and long-term stability, with both leaders reaffirming their commitment to restoring democracy and safeguarding the rights of the Venezuelan people.