Nobel Institute Rejects Proposal for Machado to Share Prize with Trump

The Norwegian Nobel Institute has dismissed suggestions that Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado could share her recently awarded Nobel Peace Prize with former President Donald Trump. This clarification came on January 5, 2024, after Machado had floated the idea during an appearance on Fox News earlier in the week.

In a statement, the Nobel Institute made it clear that “once a Nobel Prize is announced, it cannot be revoked, shared, or transferred to others.” The organization emphasized that its decision is final, underscoring the integrity and permanence of the award.

During her interview on Fox News’ “Hannity,” Machado expressed her desire to acknowledge Trump’s contributions to Venezuelan democracy. When asked by host Sean Hannity if she would offer the Nobel Peace Prize to Trump, she replied, “Well, it hasn’t happened yet,” adding, “this is a prize of the Venezuelan people… we certainly want to give it to him and share it with him.”

The context of Machado’s remarks stems from a significant political event on January 3, 2024, when Trump announced that the United States had successfully executed an operation leading to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who now faces drug trafficking charges in New York. Trump, during a follow-up appearance on “Hannity,” indicated that he would consider accepting the prize if offered, stating, “That would be a great honor.”

Machado, who recently escaped Venezuela, traveled to Norway to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. In her statements, she dedicated the award to Trump, remarking, “As soon as I learned that we had been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, I dedicated it to President Trump because I believed at that point that he deserved it.” She emphasized the historic significance of Trump’s actions, asserting that many deemed it impossible to achieve the outcomes he had facilitated.

Despite this recognition, Trump has previously expressed skepticism about Machado’s leadership capabilities within Venezuela. He stated that she “doesn’t have the support within or the respect within the country” to lead effectively. This perspective reflects the complex political landscape in Venezuela, where loyalty to Maduro remains a contentious issue.

Looking ahead, Trump has plans to meet with Machado in Washington next week. This meeting could further impact the dynamics between the Venezuelan opposition and the U.S. administration, highlighting the ongoing struggle for democracy in Venezuela.

As the situation evolves, Machado’s bid to share the Nobel Peace Prize with Trump may remain a point of contention and discussion, reflecting the broader challenges facing Venezuelan leadership in a tumultuous political environment.