Nobel Committee Clarifies Non-Transferability of Peace Prize After Machado’s Gesture to Trump
The Norwegian Nobel Committee has issued a firm clarification regarding the rules governing the Nobel Peace Prize, following an unprecedented gesture by Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado.
Machado, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2025 for her tireless efforts to promote democracy and a peaceful transition in Venezuela, presented her Nobel medal to U.S. President Donald Trump during a visit to the White House.
The act, which Trump described as a “wonderful gesture of mutual respect,” sparked widespread debate about whether such a symbolic transfer could alter the ownership or recognition of the prize.
The Nobel Committee responded swiftly, emphasizing that the Peace Prize is non-transferable, non-revocable, and inseparably linked to the laureate chosen by the committee.
In its statement, the committee explained that while the physical medal and diploma are tangible symbols of the award and can be gifted or displayed, the honor itself remains permanently attached to the individual or organization originally designated. “A laureate cannot share the prize with others, nor transfer it once it has been announced. A Nobel Peace Prize can also never be revoked. The decision is final and applies for all time,” the committee declared.
Machado’s decision to hand over her medal to Trump came in the wake of dramatic geopolitical developments. Just days before the meeting, the United States launched a military strike in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of Nicolás Maduro, the embattled Venezuelan leader. Against this backdrop,
Machado’s gesture was interpreted by some as a symbolic endorsement of Trump’s role in Venezuela’s political transition. Trump himself publicly praised Machado, calling her “a wonderful woman who has been through so much,” and expressed gratitude for what he viewed as recognition of his efforts.
However, the Nobel Institute reiterated that the prize cannot be transferred, shared, or sold, regardless of symbolic acts. The committee noted that several Nobel medals are displayed in museums worldwide, underscoring that possession of the medal does not equate to ownership of the prize itself.
The Nobel statutes, rooted in Alfred Nobel’s will, make no provision for revocation or reassignment of the award. Thus, Machado remains the sole laureate of the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, despite her decision to gift the medal.
This episode highlights the tension between symbolic political gestures and the strict rules governing international honors. While Machado’s act may carry political and diplomatic significance, it does not alter the historical record or the Nobel Committee’s decision.
The Peace Prize remains hers, and hers alone, as a recognition of her struggle for democracy in Venezuela.
The committee’s clarification ensures that the integrity of the Nobel system is preserved, preventing confusion about the permanence and meaning of the award.
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