According to reports from Reuters, the Washington Post, and other outlets, Machado—who was awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize—presented Trump with her gold medal, framing it as a tribute to his dedication to the Venezuelan people’s freedom. The Norwegian Nobel Committee has noted that the actual prize cannot be transferred or shared, but a White House official confirmed Trump plans to retain the medal.
Trump expressed gratitude on social media, describing the gift as a “wonderful gesture of mutual respect” for his efforts, and the White House released photos of the encounter showing him holding the framed medal. The post emphasized his approach of achieving peace through strength.
The meeting represented the first face-to-face interaction between Trump and Machado, a key figure in Venezuela’s opposition who escaped the country by sea in late 2025 and has since advocated for U.S. support in pushing democratic changes.
The gesture occurs against a dramatic backdrop: On January 3, 2026, U.S. forces captured former President Nicolás Maduro in a special operation, leading to his detention in the U.S. on charges including narco-terrorism and drug trafficking. While opposition supporters hoped this would hasten democratic reforms, Trump has adopted a pragmatic approach, focusing on securing U.S. access to Venezuela’s oil resources and stabilizing the economy rather than rushing political overhaul.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt indicated that Trump views Machado favorably but considers her lacking sufficient domestic backing to lead Venezuela in the near term. Trump has also spoken positively about Venezuela’s interim leader, Delcy Rodríguez (a former Maduro ally who assumed power after his removal), describing her as “very good to deal with” and “terrific,” which has raised concerns among pro-democracy advocates.
Following the White House session, Machado met with over a dozen bipartisan senators on Capitol Hill, where she received more consistent support. Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy noted her warnings that repression persists in Venezuela despite some prisoner releases by the interim government.
Machado was previously disqualified from the 2024 presidential election by a court perceived as regime-aligned, and although opposition claims her endorsed candidate prevailed, the outcome remained disputed, with power staying in establishment hands.
Trump, who has frequently voiced desire for a Nobel Peace Prize tied to his diplomatic accomplishments, accepted the medal in a move blending symbolism, geopolitical strategy, and U.S. energy interests amid Venezuela’s uncertain transition post-Maduro.
This encounter underscores the ongoing tension between promoting democratic ideals and pursuing practical priorities in global energy and foreign policy as Venezuela moves forward.
