Nobel foundation clarifies prize rules after Machado gifts medal to Trump
TOI GLOBAL DESK | TOI GLOBAL | Jan 19, 2026, 18:16 IST
In a recent statement, the Nobel Foundation reiterated that Nobel Prizes cannot be transferred or shared. This follows the unprecedented act of Venezuelan opposition figure Maria Corina Machado, who presented her Nobel Peace Prize medal to former President Donald Trump, drawing on historical contexts to support her action. The White House has acknowledged that Trump graciously accepted the token.
The Nobel Foundation has once again stated that Nobel Prizes cannot be passed on or further distributed, following a recent event where Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel laureate Maria Corina Machado presented her Nobel Peace Prize medal to US President Donald Trump. This action prompted the Nobel Foundation to reiterate its stance, emphasizing that the prizes are awarded to individuals for their specific contributions and cannot be symbolically transferred.
The Nobel Foundation's post on X on Sunday highlighted its core mission to safeguard the dignity of the Nobel Prizes and their administration. It stressed that the Foundation upholds Alfred Nobel's will and its stipulations.
"The Foundation upholds Alfred Nobel's will and its stipulations. It states that the prizes shall be awarded to those who" have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind," and it specifies who has the right to award each respective prize. A prize can therefore not, even symbolically, be passed on or further distributed."
This statement came after President Trump met with Machado on Thursday. Machado had presented her Nobel Peace Prize medal to Trump at the White House, describing the gesture as recognition for his support for Venezuelan freedom and democratic efforts.
Speaking to reporters after her meeting with Trump, Machado, who won the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize for her role in championing democratic rights and a peaceful transition in Venezuela, explained her motivation. She stated that she gave the medal as a symbol of appreciation for his "unique commitment to our freedom".
"I presented the President of the United States the medal...the Nobel Peace Prize, and I told him this: 200 years ago, General Lafayette gave Simon Bolivar a medal with George Washington's face on it. Bolivar, since then, kept that medal for the rest of his life. It was given as a symbol of brotherhood to showcase the relation between the people of the US and Venezuela," Machado said.
She further elaborated on the historical parallel she drew.
"Two hundred years in history, the people of Bolivar are giving back to the heir of Washington a medal, in this case the medal of the Nobel Peace Prize, as a recognition for his unique commitment to our freedom," she added.
President Trump also acknowledged Machado's gesture. He described it as "a wonderful gesture of mutual respect" in a post on Truth Social and thanked her for the medal.
"It was my Great Honor to meet Maria Corina Machado, of Venezuela, today. She is a wonderful woman who has been through so much. Maria presented me with her Nobel Peace Prize for the work I have done. Such a wonderful gesture of mutual respect. Thank you, Maria!" the post read.
The White House also confirmed that Trump had accepted the Nobel Peace Prize medal. In a post on X, the White House stated that President Donald J. Trump met with Maria Corina Machado of Venezuela in the Oval Office. During this meeting, she presented the President with her Nobel Peace Prize in recognition and honor.
Earlier, on January 16, the official website for the Nobel Prize had already addressed the issue of prize transferability. It stated that a laureate cannot share the prize with others, nor transfer it once it has been announced. The website also clarified that a Nobel Peace Prize can never be revoked, and the decision is final and applies for all time. The Norwegian Nobel Committee does not consider it their role to engage in day-to-day commentary on Peace Prize laureates or the political processes they are engaged in. The prize is awarded based on the laureate's contributions by the time the committee's decision is taken.
The Nobel Foundation's post on X on Sunday highlighted its core mission to safeguard the dignity of the Nobel Prizes and their administration. It stressed that the Foundation upholds Alfred Nobel's will and its stipulations.
"The Foundation upholds Alfred Nobel's will and its stipulations. It states that the prizes shall be awarded to those who" have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind," and it specifies who has the right to award each respective prize. A prize can therefore not, even symbolically, be passed on or further distributed."
This statement came after President Trump met with Machado on Thursday. Machado had presented her Nobel Peace Prize medal to Trump at the White House, describing the gesture as recognition for his support for Venezuelan freedom and democratic efforts.
Speaking to reporters after her meeting with Trump, Machado, who won the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize for her role in championing democratic rights and a peaceful transition in Venezuela, explained her motivation. She stated that she gave the medal as a symbol of appreciation for his "unique commitment to our freedom".
"I presented the President of the United States the medal...the Nobel Peace Prize, and I told him this: 200 years ago, General Lafayette gave Simon Bolivar a medal with George Washington's face on it. Bolivar, since then, kept that medal for the rest of his life. It was given as a symbol of brotherhood to showcase the relation between the people of the US and Venezuela," Machado said.
She further elaborated on the historical parallel she drew.
"Two hundred years in history, the people of Bolivar are giving back to the heir of Washington a medal, in this case the medal of the Nobel Peace Prize, as a recognition for his unique commitment to our freedom," she added.
President Trump also acknowledged Machado's gesture. He described it as "a wonderful gesture of mutual respect" in a post on Truth Social and thanked her for the medal.
"It was my Great Honor to meet Maria Corina Machado, of Venezuela, today. She is a wonderful woman who has been through so much. Maria presented me with her Nobel Peace Prize for the work I have done. Such a wonderful gesture of mutual respect. Thank you, Maria!" the post read.
The White House also confirmed that Trump had accepted the Nobel Peace Prize medal. In a post on X, the White House stated that President Donald J. Trump met with Maria Corina Machado of Venezuela in the Oval Office. During this meeting, she presented the President with her Nobel Peace Prize in recognition and honor.
Earlier, on January 16, the official website for the Nobel Prize had already addressed the issue of prize transferability. It stated that a laureate cannot share the prize with others, nor transfer it once it has been announced. The website also clarified that a Nobel Peace Prize can never be revoked, and the decision is final and applies for all time. The Norwegian Nobel Committee does not consider it their role to engage in day-to-day commentary on Peace Prize laureates or the political processes they are engaged in. The prize is awarded based on the laureate's contributions by the time the committee's decision is taken.