Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado has handed over her Nobel Peace Prize medal to US President Donald Trump. This meeting took place in the White House, after which the question began to arise at the international level whether a Nobel winner can give his prize to someone else. Meanwhile, the Nobel Institute has given information about the rules in clear words.

What does the Nobel Peace Prize medal look like?
The Nobel Peace Prize medal is 6.6 centimeters in diameter and weighs 196 grams. It is made of gold. On one side of the medal there is a picture of Alfred Nobel, while on the other side three men are seen with their hands on each other’s shoulders, which is a symbol of brotherhood. There has been no change in this design for the last 120 years.

Has anyone given Nobel Medal to someone else before?
This is not the first time that a Nobel Peace Prize medal has been given to someone else. A famous example is that of Russian journalist Dmitry Muratov, who auctioned his Nobel Medal. That auction raised more than $100 million, which was used to help refugees from the Ukrainian war. Additionally, the medal of Norway’s first Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Christian Loos Lange, is still on display at the Nobel Peace Centre, but is only on loan.

Nobel Institute clarified the rules
The Nobel Institute and the Norwegian Nobel Committee have clearly stated that ‘once the Nobel Prize is declared, it can neither be taken back, nor divided with anyone, nor can it be transferred to anyone else. This decision is final forever. The institute also said that the owner of the medal can be changed, but the identity of the Nobel Peace Prize winner never changes.

The #NobelPeacePrize medals.

It measures 6.6 cm in diameter, weighs 196 grams and is struck in gold. On its face, a portrait of Alfred Nobel and on its reverse, three naked men holding around each other’s shoulders as a sign of brotherhood. A design unchanged for 120 years.

Did… pic.twitter.com/Jdjgf3Ud2A

— Nobel Peace Center (@NobelPeaceOslo) January 15, 2026

Medal handed over to Trump in the White House
Maria Corina Machado handed her Nobel Peace Prize medal to Donald Trump during the meeting at the White House. This is being seen as a big political initiative of Machado, because recently Trump had not given him open support for ruling Venezuela.

What did Trump say after receiving the medal?
After the meeting, Trump wrote on the social media platform Truth Social, ‘He gave me his Nobel Peace Prize medal, it is a great honor for me.’ Trump praised Machado, calling her a ‘very good woman’ and saying that she has faced a lot of difficulties in her life.

Can Machado give up her Nobel Prize?
According to the Nobel Institute, Machado cannot give her Nobel Prize to anyone else. That means this step is only symbolic. Despite this, this matter is in discussion, because Trump has been expressing his desire to receive the Nobel Peace Prize for a long time. A White House official said that Trump can keep this medal with himself.

US President Donald Trump finally received the Nobel Peace Prize medal from Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado. Machado handed over this medal to Trump during the meeting at the White House. This is being considered a big political effort by Machado, because recently Trump had not openly supported him regarding the rule of Venezuela.

What did Trump say after receiving the medal?
After meeting at the White House, Trump praised Machado profusely. He wrote on his social media platform Truth Social, ‘He gave me his Nobel Peace Prize medal, it is a great honor for me.’ Trump described Machado as a ‘very good woman’ and said that she has suffered a lot in life.

Can Machado give up her Nobel Prize?
The Nobel Institute has made it clear that Machado cannot give her Nobel Prize to anyone else. That means giving this medal is just a symbolic step. Despite this, this step is being considered special because Trump has sidelined Machado in Venezuelan politics in recent times. A White House official said that Trump could keep this medal with himself. It is noteworthy that Trump has been expressing his desire to receive the Nobel Peace Prize for a long time.

What did Machado say?
After leaving the White House, Machado told reporters, ‘I have given the Nobel Peace Prize medal to the President of America. This is a recognition of his special contribution to our freedom. After this she left for Parliament House, Capitol Hill.

Questions regarding elections in Venezuela
In recent days, Trump has raised questions on his stance regarding democracy in Venezuela. He also did not tell when the elections would be held there. Trump says that it will be difficult for Machado to lead the country, because he does not have full support within the country.

Even after Maduro, Machado gets a shock
Machado’s party is believed to have won the 2024 elections, but Nicolas Maduro has refused to accept the results. Despite this, Trump has indicated that he is ready to work with acting President Delsey Rodriguez, who has been close to Maduro.

Machado met supporters
After the closed-door meeting, Machado met her supporters outside the White House. He hugged many people. He said, ‘We can trust President Trump.’
On this some supporters raised slogans of ‘Thank you Trump’.

Machado seen after a long time
Machado was not seen in public before coming to Washington. Last month she went to Norway, where her daughter received the Nobel Peace Prize on her behalf. Before this, Machado was living in hiding in Venezuela for about 11 months.

US President Donald Trump met Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado at the White House on Thursday. During this, Machado presented his Nobel Peace Prize medal to Trump. The White House confirmed the meeting, but also made it clear that this should not be considered a major change in Trump’s stance.

What did the White House say
White House press secretary Carolyn Levitt described Machado as a “brave and strong voice” for the Venezuelan people. He said that President Trump was positive about this meeting. However, when asked if Trump now considered Machado the leader of Venezuela, Leavitt said the president still held the same opinion. According to him, Trump believes that in the current situation, Machado does not have enough support within the country.

Trump’s stance on elections
Levitt said that President Trump wants fair elections to be held in Venezuela in the future. But he did not tell when these elections could be held. After the meeting, Machado told the media that he had given the Nobel Peace Prize medal to Trump. He described it as ‘recognition of his special support for our freedom’.

meeting supporters
After leaving the White House, Machado met his supporters standing outside. He said, ‘We can trust President Trump.’ On this the supporters raised slogans of ‘Thank You Trump’.

The atmosphere changed after Maduro’s arrest
This meeting took place at a time when two weeks ago the US Army had captured former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores from Caracas and sent them to New York. Both are accused of drug smuggling. Machado’s coalition claims to have won the 2024 presidential election, but Maduro has refused to accept the results.

Trump’s contradictory stance
Although Trump met Machado, he has previously raised questions about his leadership abilities. Trump has also indicated that he is willing to work with current acting President Delsey Rodriguez. Rodriguez has been a former Vice President and is currently looking after the day-to-day work of the government.

US–Venezuela relations
America is currently increasing pressure on Venezuela’s oil sector. Recently a banned oil tanker was seized. American officials say that Rodriguez’s interim government is cooperating with the US. Under this, five American citizens were released this week.

Conversation between Trump and Rodriguez
Trump said on Wednesday that he had a long conversation with Rodriguez. He said, ‘We talked about many issues and I think the relations between America and Venezuela are going in the right direction.’