Former U.S. President Donald Trump has been widely mocked and criticized after a series of remarks about the Nobel Peace Prize sparked fresh controversy, forcing the Nobel Committee to issue an unprecedented clarification on the rules governing the award.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee and the Norwegian Nobel Institute released an official statement underscoring that once a Nobel Peace Prize is awarded, it cannot be revoked, shared, or transferred to someone else. The announcement was described by experts as the first time the Committee had to clarify the permanence and unchangeable nature of the prize in response to public discussion.
This rare statement came after Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, who was awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize for her longstanding efforts to defend democratic rights and challenge the authoritarian regime of Nicolás Maduro, said she wanted to give her award to Trump.
Her comments — made in an interview on U.S. television — appeared to reflect gratitude for Trump’s support for Venezuelan opposition aims and his role in a dramatic U.S.-led operation in which Maduro was captured and brought to New York on criminal charges.
Trump, who has openly expressed a desire to win a Nobel Peace Prize for years, responded to Machado’s remarks by saying he would be “honored” to accept the award if she offered it to him.
In an interview, he claimed that because he “ended” multiple wars — referring to conflicts during his presidency he says he helped resolve — he should have been recognized with the prize. Trump also spoke warmly about Machado’s planned visit to Washington, suggesting he looked forward to meeting her.
But the Nobel Committee’s clarification shut down any possibility of such a transfer, emphasizing that Nobel Prizes are final decisions that cannot be altered after the announcement, in line with the statutes set out by the Nobel Foundation and Alfred Nobel’s will. The Committee also noted it generally does not comment on a laureate’s actions after they have received the award.
Trump’s remarks drew criticism from commentators and political figures alike. Some opponents seized on his apparent fixation with the prize, suggesting his focus was more on personal acclaim than the substance of global peace achievements. Political commentator Harry Sisson took to social media to label Trump’s comments as “beyond humiliating for the United States,” adding: “Trump won’t support Machado in Venezuela unless she gives him the Nobel Peace Prize she won. HE IS A CHILD.” Other critics described his reaction as evidence of deep narcissism.
Machado herself defended her gesture, telling interviewers that she believed Trump “deserved” recognition for what she viewed as a historic contribution to justice following Maduro’s downfall. She called the capture of Venezuela’s former president a milestone not just for her country but for “humanity, freedom, and human dignity.”
However, analysts note that Machado’s offer — and Trump’s reaction — fed a broader debate about the meaning and value of the Nobel Peace Prize, particularly when intertwined with contemporary geopolitical conflicts. The Committee’s firm response reflects a desire to preserve the integrity of the award amidst mounting conversations about how international prizes intersect with real-world power struggles.