In January 2026, Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado awarded her 2025 Nobel Peace Prize medal to the US’s 45th President, Donald Trump, in a highly publicized conference at the White House. Machado explained that she gave Trump her Nobel Peace Prize medal in gratitude for Trump’s support of the Venezuelan democratic struggle. A few days later, the Nobel Foundation and the Norwegian Nobel Committee clarified that while it’s possible for a medal to be physically passed from person to person, it’s impossible for a Nobel Peace Prize to be shared or given to a second person.
Why Did the Nobel Foundation Issue a Stern Warning After Machado’s Gesture?
The Nobel Foundation strongly reminded everyone that Nobel Prizes are under statutes that shield their integrity. The foundation said in a statement that awards cannot be “symbolically” passed on or redistributed to others and that it was duty-bound to fulfill the role of guardian of Alfred Nobel’s will and the prestige of the prizes. The clarification was widely interpreted as slamming the door on any suggestion that Trump had become a co‑recipient.
Statement from the Nobel Foundation
One of the core missions of the Nobel Foundation is to safeguard the dignity of the Nobel Prizes and their administration. The Foundation upholds Alfred Nobel’s will and its stipulations. It states that the prizes shall be awarded to those who… pic.twitter.com/WIadOBLtpD
— The Nobel Prize (@NobelPrize) January 18, 2026
Machado Presents Nobel Medal to Trump
The meeting between Machado and Trump on January 15 was symbolic. She framed her gold Nobel Peace Prize Medal and gave it to Trump, saying that this was in recognition of his effort to achieve Venezuelan freedom. Trump accepted the medal and thanked Machado in person. He posted pictures on his social media accounts saying that this was a token of respect.
White House Gesture & Official Clarification
While Trump displayed the framed medal and embraced the moment, the Norwegian Nobel Committee quickly made clear that the Peace Prize’s honor remains inseparably linked to Machado. According to the committee, the status of laureate cannot be reassigned, regardless of who holds the physical medal or diploma. This dual message of public celebration and legal limitation spawned debate about symbolism versus formal recognition.
Why the Peace Prize Cannot Be Transferred or Shared
According to the statutes of the Nobel Foundation, a prize that has been awarded cannot be withdrawn, shared, or transferred. Laureates can do with the physical symbols-the medal, the diploma, even the prize money, but the official credit for the award is irrevocably engraved in history in favour of the person or group that was originally selected. The rule is to ensure historic continuity and avoid reinterpretations or political spin of the prize.
What are the Nobel Peace Prize Rules & Traditions
The Nobel Peace Prize is given each year to a certain individual or group for the benefit they have brought to mankind. This decision becomes irrevocable once made, with no process for transfer. Award winners have been known to transfer their Nobel Prize medals for certain purposes, but this in no way alters the fact that they received this prestigious award.
Political Symbolism & Reactions
Machado’s act has garnered mixed responses. While some consider it a strong political statement through diplomacy, others find it unprecedented in the US and in Europe to the point of being embarrassing. A number of people are also considering how this incident might lessen the dignity of the Nobel Peace Prize itself. This incident has also pointed out the significance of symbolism in international diplomacy.
