THE GUARDIAN: US president criticised for accepting medal awarded to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado
Political leaders in Norway have condemned the Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado’s “absurd” decision to present her Nobel peace prize medal to Donald Trump, accusing the US president of being a “classic showoff” who takes credit for other people’s work.
The Nobel laureate gave her medal to Trump at the White House on Thursday “in recognition [of] his unique commitment [to] our freedom”. Several hours later, Trump wrote on Truth Social that Machado “presented me with her Nobel peace prize for the work I have done. Such a wonderful gesture of mutual respect.”
The Nobel Peace Center said on social media that “a medal can change owners, but the title of a Nobel peace prize laureate cannot”. The organisers of the prize, the Norwegian Nobel Committee and the Norwegian Nobel Institute, had already said that the prize “cannot be revoked, shared or transferred” when Machado first revealed her plan – a sentiment reiterated by the institute on Friday. » | Miranda Bryant, Nordic correspondent | Friday, January 16, 2026
Was María Corina Machado the right person to receive the award in the first place? By giving the award away, she has shown clearly that she undervalued the great honour that had been bestowed upon her. As for Trump accepting her medal, it is difficult to imagine more ungracious behaviour by anyone. Moreover, Trump's acceptance of the medal was the height of naffness! — © Mark Alexander
