Nobel Institute Rejects Idea María Corina Machado Could Give or Share 2025 Peace Prize With Donald Trump
The Norwegian Nobel Institute said María Corina Machado cannot transfer or share her 2025 Nobel Peace Prize with Donald Trump, stressing that Nobel awards are final and cannot be revoked, transferred, or altered after announcement.
- The Norwegian Nobel Institute: said a Nobel Prize “cannot be revoked, transferred or shared with others. The decision is final and stands for all time.” (CBS News)
- Machado’s award: María Corina Machado was named the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize laureate for defending democratic rights and pushing for a peaceful transition in Venezuela; she traveled secretly to Oslo to accept it (Time; Fox News).
- Public reaction: Machado dedicated the prize to Donald Trump and suggested Venezuelans would like to “give it to him and share it with him,” prompting the Institute’s public clarification (CBS News; Fox News).
Machado’s Nobel, the trip to Oslo and her dedication to Trump
María Corina Machado, a longtime critic of Nicolás Maduro, was named the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize laureate for her efforts defending democratic rights and seeking a peaceful political transition in Venezuela. Reporting indicates she was living in hiding before leaving Venezuela in secret and traveling to Oslo in December to accept the prize (Time; Fox News).
Dedication and media appearances
After receiving the award, Machado publicly dedicated the prize to the people of Venezuela and to President Donald Trump. On Fox News’ “Hannity,” when asked whether she had offered to give the prize to Trump, Machado said it had not yet happened but that she would “love to be able to personally tell him” Venezuelans “want to give it to him and share it with him” (CBS News; Fox News).
Norwegian Nobel Institute’s response and the rules governing the prize
The Norwegian Nobel Institute responded swiftly to the public discussion about sharing or transferring Machado’s prize. In a concise statement the Institute emphasized that once Nobel Prizes are announced they “cannot be revoked, transferred or shared with others” and that “the decision is final and stands for all time.” The organization explicitly rejected suggestions that Machado could give or share the prize with President Donald Trump (CBS News; Fox News; Anadolu Agency).
“The decision is final and stands for all time.” — Norwegian Nobel Institute statement reported by media outlets.
U.S. operation, Maduro’s capture and political fallout
On Jan. 3, U.S. forces carried out an operation that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. He now faces drug trafficking charges in New York, according to reporting that linked the operation to U.S. actions and to Machado’s public praise. Machado called the operation “historic” and said it marked a major step toward democratic transition in Venezuela (Time; CBS News).
The capture intensified debate about Venezuela’s leadership during any transition. Some expected Machado to lead the opposition; President Trump signaled support for Delcy Rodríguez as an interim leader while also warning she would “pay a very big price” if she did not “do what’s right.” Machado has advocated for Edmundo González Urrutia—recognized by the U.S. and others as winner of the 2024 election—to assume the presidency (Time).
Trump’s reaction and possible meeting with Machado
President Donald Trump responded positively to Machado’s dedication, saying he would consider accepting the honor and calling it “a great honor.” He described Machado as “a very nice person,” said he expected to meet her in Washington, and welcomed her—though he has not formally endorsed her leadership of a Venezuelan transition. The split between praise and political backing highlights complex international and domestic stakes for Venezuela’s future (Time; CBS News).
What Machado said on U.S. television
On Fox News, Machado described Venezuelans’ gratitude for what they view as U.S. action that helped remove Maduro. She suggested Venezuelans would like to symbolically share the Nobel with Trump as a gesture of thanks. Those remarks drew attention because offering or sharing a Nobel is not a formal procedure, prompting the Nobel Institute’s public clarification (CBS News; Fox News).
Implications for Los Angeles, California
Local stakeholders in Los Angeles are likely to respond across civic, humanitarian and media channels:
- Community response: Los Angeles’ large Venezuelan diaspora may hold vigils, panels or fundraisers and mobilize nonprofits and advocacy groups.
- Political debate: City leaders, state lawmakers and civic groups may issue statements urging a rights-based, peaceful transition—typical of LA’s moderate civic culture.
- Immigration and consular services: Legal aid organizations and consular offices will monitor developments for possible impacts on asylum claims, resettlement and documentation.
- Media and public opinion: The dedication and the Institute’s ruling will generate local coverage, opinion pieces and community forums intersecting with national politics.
- Humanitarian and economic ties: Local charities and businesses sending remittances or aid may adjust planning if political transition affects access or risk.
Reporting note and sources
This article is based on reporting from CBS News, Time, Fox News and Anadolu Agency, including the Norwegian Nobel Institute’s statement and Machado’s public comments following the award.
Additional context, developments and reactions will be reported as they are verified.
