Trump on Machado Presenting Him the Nobel Prize: The Nobel Institute has clarified that Machado cannot present her Nobel Prize to anyone else. This means that the awarding of the medal is merely a symbolic gesture.
US President Donald Trump finally received the Nobel Peace Prize medal from Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado. Machado presented the medal to Trump during their meeting at the White House. This is being considered a major political move by Machado, as Trump had recently not openly supported her in her bid for power in Venezuela.
What Trump said upon receiving the medal
After their meeting at the White House, Trump praised Machado profusely. He wrote on his social media platform, Truth Social, “It’s a great honor for me that she gave me her Nobel Peace Prize medal.” Trump described Machado as a “very good woman” and said she had endured a lot in her life.
Can Machado give away her Nobel Prize?
The Nobel Institute has clarified that Machado cannot give away her Nobel Prize to anyone else. This means that the awarding of the medal is merely a symbolic gesture. Nevertheless, this move is considered significant because Trump has recently sidelined Machado from Venezuelan politics. A White House official stated that Trump may keep the medal. It is worth noting that Trump has long expressed a desire to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.
What Machado Said
After leaving the White House, Machado told reporters, “I have given the Nobel Peace Prize medal to the President of the United States. This is in recognition of his special contribution to our freedom.” She then departed for Capitol Hill, the Capitol.
Questions about elections in Venezuela
In recent days, Trump has raised questions about his stance on democracy in Venezuela. He did not even specify when elections will be held there. Trump says that it will be difficult for Machado to lead the country because she lacks full support within the country.
Machado suffers setback despite Maduro
Machado’s party is believed to have won the 2024 election, but Nicolás Maduro has refused to accept the results. Despite this, Trump has indicated he is willing to work with Acting President Delcy Rodríguez, who has been close to Maduro.
Machado meets with supporters
After the closed-door meeting, Machado met with her supporters outside the White House. She hugged several people. She said, “We can trust President Trump.”
Some supporters chanted “Thank you Trump.”
Machado seen after a long time
Machado had not been seen in public before arriving in Washington. Last month, she traveled to Norway, where her daughter accepted the Nobel Peace Prize on her behalf. Prior to this, Machado had been in hiding in Venezuela for nearly 11 months.
