Venezuela’s opposition leader María Corina Machado said on Thursday that she gave her Nobel Peace Prize medal to U.S. President Donald Trump, describing the move as a symbolic gesture of gratitude following recent developments involving Venezuela.
“Two hundred years in history, the people of Bolívar are giving back to the heir of Washington a medal — in this case, the medal of the Nobel Peace Prize — as recognition for his unique commitment to our freedom,” Machado told reporters.
Why Did Maria Corina Machado Offer the Medal?
Machado’s gesture followed the Trump administration’s unprecedented decision to deploy U.S. forces to Venezuela, leading to the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, who were flown to the United States to face indictments.
The move has dramatically altered Venezuela’s political landscape and elevated Machado’s international profile as the country’s leading opposition figure.
Did Trump Accept the Nobel Medal?
According to multiple media reports, Trump did accept the medal offered by Machado. An ABC News reporter said on X that a White House official confirmed the acceptance, with similar confirmation reported by Fox News.
However, the development immediately raised questions online about whether a Nobel Peace Prize — or any part of it — can legally be transferred to another person.
Can the Nobel Peace Prize Be Transferred?
The answer is nuanced. According to explanations shared by the Norwegian Nobel Committee and the Nobel Peace Center, the Nobel Peace Prize itself cannot be transferred, shared, or reassigned once awarded.
“Once a Nobel Prize is announced, it cannot be revoked, shared, or transferred to others. The decision is final and stands for all time,” the committee has stated.
The #NobelPeacePrize medal.
It measures 6.6 cm in diameter, weighs 196 grams and is struck in gold. On its face, a portrait of Alfred Nobel and on its reverse, three naked men holding around each other’s shoulders as a sign of brotherhood. A design unchanged for 120 years.
Did… pic.twitter.com/Jdjgf3Ud2A
— Nobel Peace Center (@NobelPeaceOslo) January 15, 2026
What Can Be Transferred — And What Cannot
While the title of Nobel Peace Prize laureate cannot change hands, the physical medal can be given or loaned to another person. The Nobel Peace Center has previously noted that medals have been auctioned, donated, or displayed by people other than the original recipients.
A well-known example is journalist Dmitry Muratov, who auctioned his Nobel Peace Prize medal to raise funds for Ukrainian refugees. Another medal displayed at the Nobel Peace Center originally belonged to Christian Lous Lange, Norway’s first Peace Prize laureate.
What This Means for Trump
In practical terms, Trump can legally accept the medal given to him by Machado. However, he does not become a Nobel Peace Prize laureate through this act. Only the Nobel Committee can award that title, and it cannot be transferred under any circumstances.
The episode has nevertheless fueled global debate — both about Trump’s role in Venezuela and about how symbolic gestures involving one of the world’s most prestigious awards are interpreted.
