TL;DR: The 2025 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado. The White House, Donald Trump, and Vladimir Putin criticized the decision, claiming Trump deserved the prize for his recent peace efforts. Machado dedicated the award to both the Venezuelan people and Trump.
Nobel Peace Prize 2025 Awarded
- The Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize to María Corina Machado, citing her “tireless work promoting democratic rights” and peaceful resistance against Venezuela's authoritarian regime.
- Machado is the first Venezuelan and second Latin American woman to win the Peace Prize.
White House and Trump’s Reaction
- White House Communications Director Steven Cheung said:
- Trump said Machado called him, saying:
- Trump noted that the ceasefire deal in Gaza (announced Oct. 8) and other efforts should have qualified him, saying, “Will you get the Nobel Prize? Absolutely not. They’ll give it to some guy that didn’t do a damn thing.”
“The Nobel Committee proved they place politics over peace... President Trump will continue making peace deals, ending wars, and saving lives.”
“I'm accepting this in honor of you, because you really deserved it.”
Trump added: “I didn’t say, ‘Then give it to me,’ though I think she might have. She was very nice.”
Machado’s Dedication
- Machado said on X:
- She remains in hiding due to political persecution, after supporting Edmundo González in Venezuela’s 2024 disputed election.
“I dedicate this prize to the suffering people of Venezuela and to President Trump for his decisive support of our cause.”
Putin’s Criticism
- Russian President Vladimir Putin stated the Nobel Committee “lost credibility” by awarding the prize to “people who have done nothing for the world” or “nothing for peace.”
- Putin praised Trump’s efforts in Gaza and Ukraine, and Trump reposted a video of Putin’s remarks on Truth Social with the caption: “Thank you to President Putin!”
Additional Context
- Nobel Peace Prize nominations closed on January 31, 2025, shortly after Trump took office, limiting consideration of his 2025 diplomatic actions.
- Trump’s allies, including Sen. Marco Rubio (now Secretary of State nominee), supported Machado’s nomination in 2024.
- Reactions were mixed internationally, with Venezuelan opposition celebrating, Maduro’s regime condemning the award, and online debate over whether Trump should be recognized in the future.