María Corina Machado presented her Nobel Peace Prize medal to President Donald Trump at the White House on January 15, 2026, a symbolic gesture of thanks that immediately sparked debate over what, if anything, it changes. The short answer: not the laureate.
Machado, the Venezuelan opposition leader who won the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, met with Trump in Washington and handed him a framed display holding her gold medal, according to the White House and subsequent statements by both figures. Trump publicly acknowledged receiving the medal and praised Machado’s gesture, while images of the presentation circulated shortly after the meeting.
Beyond a gripping photo, the moment carries real political weight. It ties a globally recognized award to a sitting U.S. president and to America’s posture toward Venezuela’s democratic movement. For Machado, the handover telegraphed gratitude—and perhaps a bid to sustain U.S. attention on Venezuela’s push for free institutions. For Trump, it provides a striking symbol aligned with his long-expressed interest in Nobel recognition, even as it raises fresh questions about the line between moral honors and geopolitical messaging.
The Nobel Committee says the prize cannot be transferred, shared, or revoked once awarded. That clarification—reiterated days before the White House meeting—means the title of Nobel Peace Prize laureate remains solely with Machado, regardless of who holds the physical medal. The medal itself can change hands; the honor cannot. In other words, Trump may possess the object, but not the laureate status. The title remains exclusively with Machado.
Practically, nothing changes for the record books: Machado is the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize laureate. Politically, the optics endure. Expect continued discussion in Oslo and Washington about how laureates use their platforms—and how leaders receive them. The episode underscores how symbolic acts can shape narratives around democracy movements, U.S. policy, and the prestige of the world’s best-known prize, even when the rules themselves are immovable.