Donald Trump rejects symbolic Nobel Prize, saying “it doesn’t matter,” after Venezuelan opposition leader María Machado offered hers.
Trump Dismisses Nobel Prize
On Monday evening (19 January), Donald Trump stated during a journalist interview that “the Nobel Prize doesn’t matter to me.” He added, “First of all, a wonderful woman believed I deserved it and really wanted me to receive the Nobel Prize. I appreciate that,” referring to María Machado, who symbolically transferred her award last week.
Trump further commented, “If anyone thinks Norway doesn’t control the Nobel Prize, they’re kidding. They have a board, but it’s controlled by Norway, and it doesn’t matter to me what Norway says, but honestly, it doesn’t matter to me. My focus is on saving lives.”
Nobel Laureate Offers Medal
On Thursday (15 January), Donald Trump met at the White House with Venezuelan opposition leader María Machado, who presented him with the medal of her Nobel Peace Prize. The U.S. President accepted the medal but did not publicly express support for Venezuela’s democratic opposition.
Trump continues to prioritize cooperation with interim Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez, who took power after a U.S. military operation in March that resulted in the capture of Nicolás Maduro. Previously, Trump suggested Machado lacks sufficient domestic support for a governing role and that he believes he himself deserved the Nobel Prize.
The following day, Machado announced she would transfer her award to Trump. Some voices claimed the President pressured the opposition figure into relinquishing the medal.
Norwegian Institute Clarifies Rules
Subsequently, the Norwegian Nobel Institute stated that the Nobel Peace Prize remains inextricably linked to the individual or organization designated as the laureate. It emphasized that symbolic transfer does not alter the fact that only the laureate retains the status and rights associated with the award.
The Institute added in its statement that the prize is a personal distinction that cannot be formally transferred to another person.