Trump has publicly thanked Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado. He described handing over the Nobel Peace Prize as a ‘wonderful gesture of mutual respect’. This high-profile meeting held at the White House on Thursday is being considered important for the political future of Venezuela, especially at a time when the US has detained the country’s former President Nicolas Maduro. Speaking to reporters in Washington, Machado said he presented Trump with the Nobel Peace Prize medal, although he did not clarify whether Trump formally accepted it or not.

What did Trump say on Truth Social?

Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social, ‘It was a great honor for me to meet Maria Corina Machado of Venezuela today. She is an amazing woman who has been through a lot. He presented me his Nobel Peace Prize for the work I did. This is a wonderful gesture of mutual respect. Thank you, Maria!’

What happened to the Nobel Prize?

Machado reached the White House on Thursday, where she had a closed-door conversation with Trump. Machado, who arrived in a white suit, was taken to the White House complex in an SUV. Political analysts believe that this step of handing over the Nobel Prize is being seen as an attempt to increase American influence on the future politics of Venezuela. According to CNN, Machado left the Nobel Peace Prize medal at the White House. A source familiar with the matter said that this medal is currently with the President and a White House official has confirmed that Trump is keeping it with him.

Trump wanted Nobel Prize

Donald Trump has long expressed his desire to receive the Nobel Peace Prize and claims that he deserves it because he has resolved many wars in his second term. However, the Nobel Committee has already clarified that this award can neither be shared nor transferred to anyone. The committee had said on X, ‘The owner of the medal can be changed, but not the status of Nobel Peace Prize winner.’