Oslo/ Washington: The Nobel Foundation has firmly rebuked any notion of transferring the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize, amid the ongoing controversy sparked by Venezuelan Opposition leader María Corina Machado presenting her 2025 medal to US President Donald Trump during a White House meeting earlier this week.
Machado, honoured last year for her courageous fight for democracy against Venezuela’s authoritarian regime, handed over the iconic 18-carat gold medal to Trump as a symbolic gesture of gratitude for his “principled and decisive actions” in supporting Venezuela’s freedom. Trump described the act as a “wonderful gesture of mutual respect” on social media, proudly displaying the framed medal.
However, the Nobel Foundation and the Norwegian Nobel Committee swiftly clarified that while the physical medal may change hands, the title of Nobel Peace Prize laureate remains exclusively with Machado.
In a strong statement, the Foundation emphasised its core mission: to safeguard the dignity of the prizes in line with Alfred Nobel’s will. It reiterated that once awarded, the prize “cannot be revoked, shared, or transferred to others,” with the decision standing final for all time.
The move has drawn sharp criticism in Norway, with politicians calling it “unbelievably embarrassing” and damaging the prize’s reputation amid concerns over politicisation. Norwegian voices highlighted Trump’s past threats, including towards Greenland, as reasons he remains unworthy.
This episode underscores the inviolable rules governing Nobel honours, even as Trump — long vocal about his desire for the award — now possesses the tangible symbol, though not the official recognition.
The Foundation’s firm stance aims to preserve the integrity of one of the world’s most revered accolades.