Called Absurd, Norwegian Politician Criticizes Machado for Giving the Nobel Peace Prize to Trump

Donald Trump receives the Nobel Peace Prize. (The Guardian)

UNITED STATES - Political leaders in Norway have condemned the absurd decision of the Venezuelan opposition leader, María Corina Machado, who gave her Nobel Peace Prize to US President Donald Trump.

Machado presented the medal to Trump at the White House last Thursday as a form of appreciation for what he called "Trump's commitment to our freedom".

Hours later, Trump wrote on his social media platform that Machado "gave me the Nobel Peace Prize for the work I have done. It is a beautiful gesture full of mutual respect."

The Nobel Peace Center responded via social media "a medal can change owners, but the title as a Nobel Peace Prize winner cannot be changed".

The award's organizers, the Norwegian Nobel Committee and the Norwegian Nobel Institute, had previously stated that the award "cannot be revoked, divided, or transferred" when Machado first announced his plans.

Citing the Guardian, the statement was later reiterated by the institute.

Machado was indeed named the winner of the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo last month for his long struggle for democracy against the authoritarian regime in Venezuela. However, after that, Trump carried out a military operation that led to the fall of President Nicolás Maduro and handed over power to his vice president, Delcy Rodríguez.

Kirsti Bergstø, leader of the Norwegian Socialist Left Party, said the decision to award the medal to Trump "above all else, is absurd. The peace prize cannot be given just like that."

He added that Trump's recent threat to attack Greenland shows Trump is not a worthy recipient.

Meanwhile, Trygve Slagsvold Vedum, leader of Norway's Sentrum Party, said receiving the medal reflected Trump's character as a "classic exhibitionist who wants to adorn himself with the honor and work of others."

Raymond Johansen, a former mayor of Oslo from the Labor Party who is now secretary-general of a relief organization, described the situation as "very embarrassing and damaging", with the potential to damage the reputation of the Nobel Peace Prize and the Nobel Committee.

The Norwegian government itself chose not to comment directly, leaving the matter to the Norwegian Nobel Committee, which is independent of the government.

The photo shared by the White House shows Trump holding the medal in a large gold frame with text stating that the medal was awarded as a symbol of gratitude "for President Trump's principled and decisive actions to secure a free Venezuela."