Trump calls Nobel medal gift from Machado a “nice gesture,” signals further talks

WASHINGTON: U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday that Venezuelan opposition figure Maria Corina Machado’s decision to present him with her Nobel Peace Prize medal was a “very nice gesture,” adding that the two would speak again.

Trump made the remarks on the South Lawn of the White House while responding to reporters’ questions as he prepared to depart for Florida. Asked what he intended to do with the medal and why he would accept an award given to someone else, Trump said Machado had offered it voluntarily and praised her personally, saying he was impressed after meeting her for the first time.

Pressed on U.S. policy toward Venezuela, specifically why Washington was engaging with figures linked to the current power structure rather than fully backing Machado, Trump drew a comparison with post-war Iraq, arguing that sweeping political purges there had fueled instability. He said the lesson informed his approach to Venezuela, while reiterating his respect for Machado.

The exchange came a day after Machado presented Trump with the gold medal that accompanies the Nobel Peace Prize. While the gesture was symbolic, the Norwegian Nobel Institute has made clear that Nobel Prizes cannot be transferred, shared, or revoked; the honor remains with the original recipient.

Machado’s outreach follows Trump’s earlier rejection of proposals to recognize her as Venezuela’s leader in place of ousted president Nicolas Maduro. Trump has previously voiced frustration at being overlooked for the Nobel Peace Prize, which he publicly campaigned for before Machado received the award last month.

As he boarded Marine One, Trump said he had been “very, very impressed” by Machado and described her as a “fine woman,” signaling that dialogue between the two would continue despite ongoing questions about U.S. strategy toward Caracas and figures such as Delcy Rodriguez.