Political leaders in Norway have strongly criticized Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado for her recent decision to present her Nobel Peace Prize medal to Donald Trump. They described the act as “absurd” and accused the US president of being a “classic showoff” who takes credit for the accomplishments of others. Machado bestowed her medal upon Trump at the White House on Thursday, citing it as a gesture of appreciation for his “unique commitment to our freedom.”
Shortly after the ceremony, Trump took to Truth Social to share his thoughts, stating, “Machado presented me with her Nobel Peace Prize for the work I have done. Such a wonderful gesture of mutual respect.” This exchange sparked outrage among Norwegian political leaders who believe that the integrity of the Nobel Peace Prize is now at risk.
The Nobel Peace Center responded to the controversy via social media, clarifying that while a medal can change hands, the title of a Nobel Peace Prize laureate remains intact. This statement followed earlier remarks from the Norwegian Nobel Committee and the Norwegian Nobel Institute, emphasizing that the prize cannot be revoked, shared, or transferred. This was particularly relevant when Machado first announced her intention to give her medal to Trump.
Machado received the prestigious award in Oslo last month after making a daring, secret journey from Venezuela. The Nobel Committee celebrated her relentless fight for democracy against Nicolás Maduro and his “brutal, authoritarian state.” However, since the award, the geopolitical landscape has shifted, with Trump previously expressing intentions to invade Venezuela and subsequently removing Maduro from power, transferring authority to Venezuela’s vice-president, Delcy Rodríguez.
Norwegian leaders have voiced significant concern over Machado's actions. Kirsti Bergstø, leader of Norway’s Socialist Left Party and its foreign policy spokesperson, labeled the situation as “absurd.” She insisted that the peace prize cannot be given away and highlighted Trump's past threats to invade Greenland as evidence of why he is unworthy of such recognition. “Trump will no doubt claim that he has now received it, but it cannot be transferred,” Bergstø stated.
Trygve Slagsvold Vedum, leader of the Centre Party, echoed these sentiments, asserting, “Whoever has received the prize has received the prize.” He emphasized that Trump's acceptance of the medal reflects poorly on his character, describing him as someone who seeks to bask in the glory of others’ achievements.
Raymond Johansen, the former Labour mayor of Oslo and current secretary general of Norwegian People’s Aid, expressed that the situation is “unbelievably embarrassing and damaging” to the Nobel Peace Prize’s reputation. He warned that Machado's decision could politicize the prize and potentially undermine its significance. “I can’t believe she actually gave the prize to Trump. What on earth is the Nobel committee going to say?” Johansen questioned in a Facebook post.
The Norwegian Foreign Ministry has refrained from commenting on the issue, citing the independence of the Nobel Prize from the government. Instead, they referred inquiries to the Norwegian Nobel Committee, which has yet to respond to requests for further comment.