In a rare and widely talked-about political moment, Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado gave the physical medal from her 2025 Nobel Peace Prize to former U.S. President Donald Trump during a meeting at the White House on January 15, 2026.
Machado won the Nobel Peace Prize last year for her long-running fight for democracy and human rights in Venezuela. She has been a key critic of the late president Nicolás Maduro and worked to rally international support for democratic change.
During their White House meeting, Machado presented Trump with the gold medal inside a frame, saying it was a symbol of gratitude for what she called his support for freedom in Venezuela. Trump praised the gesture on social media and said it was “a wonderful gesture of mutual respect.”
However, the Nobel Committee, which awards the Peace Prize, quickly clarified that a Nobel Prize cannot be officially transferred to another person. While the physical medal may be given away, the official title of Nobel Peace Prize winner remains with Machado and cannot be reassigned.
This symbolic act comes amid a complicated political backdrop. After U.S. forces took Venezuelan leader Maduro into custody earlier this month, the U.S. government has backed an interim leadership instead of Machado. At the same time, Machado has been pushing her vision for democratic reform in Venezuela and seeking broader international support.
In a speech following the meeting, Machado emphasized her belief that Venezuela is headed toward democratic change and said she hoped continued cooperation with the U.S. would help make that possible.
Key Points
María Corina Machado was awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize for her democratic activism in Venezuela.
She presented her medal to Donald Trump at the White House as a symbolic gesture of thanks.
The Nobel Prize itself cannot be transferred to another person, according to the Nobel Committee.
The gesture has drawn attention around the world and highlights ongoing political tensions in Venezuela’s path toward democracy.