The Norwegian Nobel Committee has clarified that the Nobel Peace Prize cannot be shared, revoked, or transferred, responding to remarks by Nobel laureate and Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, who said she would like to give her prize to US President Donald Trump.
In a statement, the committee said, “A Nobel Prize can neither be revoked, shared, nor transferred to others. Once the announcement has been made, the decision stands for all time.” Machado’s comments had sparked speculation after she suggested that awarding the prize to Trump would be a gesture of gratitude. The Nobel Committee’s clarification effectively ruled out that possibility.
Trump, however, said on Saturday that he would discuss Machado’s offer when she visits the United States next week. Her visit comes amid heightened tensions between the US and Venezuela, following the capture of Venezuela’s former president Nicolás Maduro and Trump’s subsequent claims regarding the country’s vast oil reserves.
“I think it’s very nice she wants to come in, and that’s what I understand the reason is,” Trump said, referring to Machado’s proposed visit. After Maduro was captured and brought to the US to face trial on charges including narco-terror conspiracy, Machado did not assume Venezuela’s top post. Instead, Vice President Delcy Rodríguez succeeded Maduro.
Trump has repeatedly claimed that he deserves the Nobel Peace Prize, arguing that he played a key role in ending multiple global conflicts. He has said he stopped eight wars within eight months of his second presidential term, adding that such achievements warranted Nobel recognition.
He has also criticised former US President Barack Obama, who received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2009 shortly after taking office, saying Obama “didn’t do anything” to merit the award. Commenting further on Machado’s upcoming visit, Trump said she would be in Washington to “pay her respects to our country—really to me,” adding that he was speaking in his capacity as the country’s representative.
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