María Corina Machado Gives Nobel Peace Prize to Donald Trump

Max Shmelzer ’28, Staff Writer | January 19, 2026

REUTERS/via SNO Sites/Daniel Torok/The White House

U.S. President Trump meets with Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado in the Oval Office, during which she presented the President with her Nobel Peace Prize, in Washington, D.C, U.S., released January 15, 2026. Daniel Torok/The White House/Handout via REUTERS

María Corina Machado, the opposition to president Maduro of Venezuela, gave away the Nobel Peace Prize to President Donald Trump.

Machado is a former Venezuelan politician, who ran for president against Nicolás Maduro, but was barred from holding office, due to a rigged election.

Under lots of pressure from the government, Machado fled to Oslo to get away from Maduro’s rule.

The Nobel Peace Prize is an honor that is awarded to a person who contributes largely towards world peace efforts.

This prestigious prize was awarded to her on December 10, 2025 at the Nobel Prize awards.

Machado gave away the prize to President Donald Trump, on January 15, 2026.

President Trump accepted the award, stating the gift was “Such a wonderful gesture of mutual respect.”

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