President Donald Trump has defended his decision to accept the Nobel Peace Prize medal from Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, stating, “she offered it to me.” During their White House meeting on Thursday, Trump claimed Machado told him he deserved the honor more than anyone in history for having “ended eight wars.” While the gesture was hailed as an act of “mutual respect” by Trump, it has sparked significant international outrage and forced a clarification from the Norwegian Nobel Committee, which stated that while a laureate can give away a physical medal, the title of “Nobureate” remains legally inseparable and non-transferable.
Official Statement: The Nobel Committee’s Stance
The Norwegian Nobel Committee issued a formal clarification on Friday to address the unprecedented situation:
| Component | Status | Committee Rule |
| The Medal & Diploma | Transferable | A laureate is free to keep, give away, or sell the physical items; there are “no restrictions.” |
| The Title (Laureate) | Inseparable | The title cannot be shared, transferred, or revoked. Machado remains the official recipient in historical records. |
| The Recognition | Fixed | Possession of the medal by a third party (Trump) does not alter the official award record. |
Political Reactions & “Eight Wars” Claim
Trump’s acceptance of the medal has divided public and political opinion:
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Support from Supporters: Outside the White House, supporters chanted “Thank you, Trump,” seeing the meeting as a sign of a strong U.S.-Venezuela alliance.
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Outrage and Criticism: Critics have labeled the exchange “unbelievably embarrassing,” arguing that a Nobel Prize should not be used as a political bargaining chip or a personal gift between politicians.
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The “Eight Wars” Narrative: Trump’s assertion that he has “ended eight wars” is a central part of his justification for keeping the medal, though he did not specify which eight conflicts he was referring to during the press interaction.
Historical Context: Giving Away the Gold
While rare, this is not the first time a Nobel medal has left a laureate’s hands:
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Selling for Charity: Some laureates have auctioned their medals to fund research or humanitarian aid.
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Forced Relinquishment: In dark historical periods, such as Nazi Germany, laureates were sometimes forced to give up their medals.
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Personal Gifts: Machado’s move is unique because it is a voluntary gift to a sitting world leader of a foreign superpower.
