Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado presented US President Donald Trump with her Nobel Peace Prize medal this Thursday (15), during a meeting at the White House, in an attempt to influence his efforts to shape her country’s political future.
An official confirmed that Trump intends to keep the medal.
In a social media post on Thursday night, Trump wrote: “María presented me with her Nobel Peace Prize for the work I have done. A wonderful gesture of mutual respect. Thank you, María!”
María Corina, who described the meeting as “excellent,” said the gift was a recognition of what she called his commitment to the freedom of the Venezuelan people.
The White House later published a photo of Trump and Machado, with the president holding a large gold frame displaying the medal.
President Donald J. Trump meets with María Corina Machado of Venezuela in the Oval Office, during which she presented the President with her Nobel Peace Prize in recognition and honor.🕊️
— The White House (@WhiteHouse)
The text accompanying the photo read: “To President Donald J. Trump, in gratitude for your extraordinary leadership in promoting peace through strength”, and classified the gesture as a “Personal Symbol of Gratitude on behalf of the Venezuelan People”.
Machado’s attempt to influence Trump came after he rejected the idea of nominating her as Venezuela’s leader to replace the deposed Nicolás Maduro.
Trump campaigned openly for the award before María Corina received it last month and complained bitterly when he was snubbed.
Although Machado received the award, the honor remains hers; the Norwegian Nobel Institute stated that the prize cannot be transferred, shared or revoked.
