A fresh controversy has erupted on the global political stage after the Nobel Committee firmly rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s suggestion that he would be willing to accept the Nobel Peace Prize from Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado. The clarification comes just days before Trump is expected to meet Machado in Washington, a meeting already drawing intense international attention due to Venezuela’s rapidly evolving political crisis.
Trump–Machado Meeting Draws Global Focus
Speaking in a recent Fox News interview, President Trump confirmed that María Corina Machado is expected to visit the United States next week. “I understand she’s coming in next week sometime, and I look forward to saying hello to her,” Trump said when asked directly about the meeting.
The anticipated sit-down follows extraordinary developments in Venezuela. Nicolás Maduro, long at the center of international sanctions and diplomatic isolation, has reportedly been arrested and extracted by U.S. forces in a dramatic operation. In the aftermath, Vice President Delcy Rodríguez has assumed the role of interim president, while Venezuela’s opposition remains divided over who should lead the country through a transitional phase.
Machado, a prominent opposition figure and vocal critic of the Maduro government, has emerged as a symbolic face of Venezuela’s pro-democracy movement. However, her actual path to power remains uncertain amid fractured political loyalties and ongoing instability inside the country.
Nobel Prize Controversy Takes Center Stage
The situation escalated after Trump addressed reports suggesting that Machado, the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, may offer him the award. “I’ve heard that she wants to do that,” Trump said in an interview. “That could be a great honor.”
Machado had previously praised Trump, stating that he “deserved” the Nobel Prize for what she described as his role in liberating Venezuela. She reportedly dedicated her Nobel Peace Prize to Trump last October, although she has acknowledged that she has not spoken directly with him since winning the award.
Trump reiterated his openness to accepting the honor, emphasizing his belief that his foreign policy achievements justify such recognition. “That’d be a great honor,” he repeated when pressed again.
Nobel Committee Issues Firm Rebuttal
In response, the Nobel Committee released a clear and unequivocal statement rejecting any notion of transferring or sharing the prize. “The facts are clear and well-established,” the committee said. “Once a Nobel Prize is announced, it cannot be revoked, shared, or transferred to others. The decision is final and stands for all time.”
The statement effectively shut down speculation that Trump could receive the Nobel Peace Prize through Machado, dealing a significant blow to the former president’s claims.
Trump Defends His Record, Criticizes Nobel Committee
Undeterred, Trump used the moment to once again argue that he deserved the Nobel Peace Prize outright. He claimed responsibility for ending “eight wars” during his leadership, listing conflicts ranging from South Asia to Africa.
“I did put out eight wars,” Trump said, adding that some of the conflicts had been ongoing for decades. He also criticized Norway, where the Nobel Committee is based, calling it an “embarrassment” that his efforts had not been recognized.
Trump reiterated controversial claims about mediating tensions between India and Pakistan, despite repeated statements from the Indian government asserting that no third-party mediation was involved. He also took credit for easing tensions between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, describing the process as “beautiful.”
Mixed U.S. Response to Machado’s Leadership Prospects
While Trump has praised Machado personally, he has also expressed skepticism about her ability to govern Venezuela. In comments reported by U.S. media outlets, Trump questioned whether she has sufficient internal support and legitimacy within the country.
“It would be very tough for her to be the leader,” Trump said, citing a lack of respect and backing on the ground.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed a more cautious tone. While calling Machado “fantastic,” Rubio emphasized that many opposition leaders are no longer inside Venezuela and that urgent short-term decisions are needed to stabilize the situation.
Machado, meanwhile, has stated that she and former presidential candidate Edmundo González — whom the U.S. recognizes as the legitimate winner of Venezuela’s last election — are prepared to lead a transitional government.
A Symbolic Meeting Amid Uncertainty
As Trump and Machado prepare to meet, the episode highlights the complex intersection of symbolism, power, and legitimacy in Venezuela’s future. While the Nobel Committee’s ruling has ended speculation over the Peace Prize, the broader political drama surrounding Venezuela’s leadership transition remains unresolved.
The upcoming meeting is expected to clarify Washington’s position on who should guide Venezuela forward — but it also underscores how global recognition, political narratives, and real-world authority do not always align.