President Trump Ignored as Nobel Peace Prize Winner is Announced
- Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her unwavering fight for democracy
- President Donald Trump, despite vocal support and multiple nominations, was passed over for the honour
- The decision has sparked backlash from the White House and global allies who praised Trump’s recent peacemaking efforts
Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, the Norwegian Nobel Committee announced on Friday, in a decision that stirred sharp reactions from the White House and supporters of President Donald Trump.
The committee stated it was honouring Machado “for her tireless work promoting democratic rights for the people of Venezuela and for her struggle to achieve a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy.”
Source: Getty Images
Her recognition comes amid ongoing political tensions in Venezuela, where she has led efforts against President Nicolás Maduro’s regime.
Machado’s stance aligns with the Trump administration’s own position on Venezuela. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described her as “the personification of resilience, tenacity, and patriotism.”
Trump overlooked despite nominations
President Trump, who has long expressed a desire for the prestigious accolade, was passed over despite vocal support from Republican allies, international figures, and his own administration.
The White House reacted bitterly to the decision, with communications director Steven Cheung accusing the Nobel Committee of politicising the award.
“Members of the Nobel Committee proved they place politics over peace,” Cheung wrote on social media.
“He has the heart of a humanitarian, and there will never be anyone like him who can move mountains with the sheer force of his will.”
Trump himself responded with measured disappointment, saying on Thursday:
“They’ll have to do what they do. Whatever they do is fine. I know this: I didn’t do it for that. I did it because I saved a lot of lives.”
The Hostages Families Forum in Israel also voiced support for Trump, stating:
“President Trump’s unprecedented achievements in peacemaking this past year speak for themselves, and no award or lack thereof can diminish the profound impact he has had on our families and on global peace.”
Nobel committee deadline may have affected Trump’s candidacy
Although Trump received nominations for the 2025 prize, many were submitted after the February 1 deadline, which fell just days into his second term. Republican Representative Claudia Tenney of New York confirmed her office had nominated Trump in December for his role in brokering the Abraham Accords in 2020, which normalised relations between Israel and several Arab nations.
Trump’s recent involvement in facilitating the initial phase of peace between Israel and Hamas has further fuelled speculation among his supporters that the Nobel Committee’s decision was a deliberate snub.
The White House declined to comment on Machado’s win.
Things to know about the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize winner
Legit.ng earlier reported that Maria Corina Machado, a prominent Venezuelan opposition leader, has been awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize for her unwavering commitment to democratic rights in Venezuela.
Her decades-long struggle against authoritarianism has earned her global recognition. Here are key facts about the Nobel Peace Prize winner.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded Maria Corina Machado the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize “for her tireless work promoting democratic rights for the people of Venezuela and for her struggle to achieve a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy.”
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