Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado has presented her Nobel Peace Prize medal to US President Donald Trump.
When asked in a Fox News interview last week (8 January) whether he would accept Machado’s Nobel Peace Prize if she gave it to him, Trump, who has frequently discussed his desires to be awarded the major accolade, said: "I’ve heard that she wants to do that. That’d be a great honour."
The White House shared a photo of Trump and Machado posing with the framed award, which included a letter which read: "To President Donald J. Trump. In Gratitude for Your Extraordinary Leadership in Promoting Peace through Strength, Advancing Diplomacy, and Defending Liberty and Prosperity."
Underneath, a separate piece of writing added: "The 2025 Nobel Peace Prize Medal awarded to María Corina Machado."
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Machado became popular among the public in the face of authoritarianism under Nicolás Maduro, who has led the country since 2013.
Following the meeting, Trump took to Truth Social to share the news with his MAGA followers: "It was my Great Honor to meet María Corina Machado, of Venezuela, today.
"She is a wonderful woman who has been through so much. María presented me with her Nobel Peace Prize for the work I have done. Such a wonderful gesture of mutual respect. Thank you María!"
It's important to note, however, that a Nobel Peace Prize 'can neither be revoked, shared, nor transferred to others', according to the awarding body.
"I presented the president of the United States the medal of the Nobel Peace Prize," Machado told reporters, adding it was 'a recognition for his unique commitment with our freedom'.
In the aftermath of the US military operation, which saw Venezuelan leader Maduro captured and removed from the country, the future governance of the South American country has remained an open question, with Trump previously dismissing the idea of working with Machado, saying 'she doesn’t have the support within or the respect within the country'.
Maduro, who was seized from his home in a middle-of-the-night military operation, appeared at a court in New York earlier this month (5 January), pleaded not guilty to 'narco-terrorism' charges and claimed he was a prisoner of war.
He is currently detained at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York.
His deputy, Delcy Rodriguez, has been sworn in as interim leader.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt called Machado 'a remarkable and brave voice' for the people of Venezuela, but also said that the meeting did not mean Trump’s opinion of her changed, calling it 'a realistic assessment'.
After catching light of the latest news, critics rushed to social media to share their shock, with one X user slamming: "This is pathetic to a degree I didn't realise was possible."
"We're living through the most pathetic timeline in history. You can't make this s**t," lamented a second, as a third hit out: "So participation trophies are ok again?"
A fourth chimed in: "I don't put too much stock in the Nobel Peace Prize given its track record of winners, but I just didn't think it could get more embarrassing lol."
A final X user commiserated: "Jesus, what a cringe, historical embarrassment."
LADbible Group has contacted the White House for comment.
Topics: Donald Trump, Politics, US News, World News, News
Rhiannon Ingle