The Nobel Peace Center has spoken out after Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado publicly handed her Nobel Peace Prize medal to Donald Trump, following his repeated claims that he deserved the honor.

Machado received the Nobel Peace Prize in October 2025 for her work defending democratic rights in Venezuela. Earlier this month, she met with Trump at the White House, where she praised him for actions she said helped defeat authoritarian rule in her country. During the meeting, she presented him with her Nobel Peace Prize medal, explaining that she believed his commitment to freedom made him worthy of it.

Photos were taken of Trump holding the medal in the Oval Office, and afterward, Machado confirmed that she had formally given him the prize as a symbolic gesture of respect. Trump later described the moment as a great honor and thanked Machado publicly, calling her courageous and praising her dedication.