A reporter challenged President Donald Trump on Friday about his decision to accept a Nobel Peace Prize medal he did not win, asking bluntly: “Why would you want somebody else’s Nobel Prize?”
In recent days, Trump had suggested he would be willing to accept the Nobel Peace Prize from Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, the 2025 recipient. Reports had indicated Machado’s inability to reject the prize may have played into Trump’s decision not to back her politically. But in an interview with Sean Hannity, Machado said she would be happy to give her award to Trump.
Machado and Trump met Thursday at the White House, where Trump accepted the medal. While the physical medal can be handed over, the Nobel honor itself is not transferable.
On Friday afternoon, as Trump walked across the North Lawn toward Marine One for a trip to Mar-a-Lago, reporters asked what he planned to do with the medal:
“Yesterday you accepted Maria Machado’s Nobel Prize medal. What do you intend to do with it? And why would you want someone else’s Nobel Prize?” a reporter asked.
Trump said Machado offered it voluntarily and described the gesture as flattering.
“She offered it to me. I thought it was very nice,” Trump said, adding that Machado told him he deserved it for preventing wars. Trump said he was impressed by her and expected they would speak again.
The exchange continued when another reporter asked why Trump appeared to be engaging with figures tied to Venezuela’s current ruling structure rather than aligning more clearly with Machado, who has strong opposition support. Trump responded by referencing Iraq after the U.S. disbanded key institutions there, arguing that abrupt moves can create dangerous power vacuums.
Trump returned to praise for Machado, saying he had not met her before their White House meeting and came away with a positive impression.
“She gave me her Nobel Prize,” Trump said, adding, “I was very, very impressed. She’s a really—this is a fine woman.”
