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Nobel Foundation Rejects Trump's Acceptance of Peace Prize Medal

The Nobel Foundation has reiterated that Nobel Prizes cannot be passed on or distributed further, even symbolically. This statement comes after Venezuelan opposition leader and 2025 Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Corina Machado presented her medal to former US President Donald Trump. Machado described the gesture as a historical symbol of appreciation for Trump's support of Venezuelan freedom. The Foundation's position upholds Alfred Nobel's will, which states the prizes are awarded for specific contributions and cannot be transferred.

Key Points: Nobel Prize Cannot Be Transferred, Says Foundation

  • Nobel Prizes are non-transferable
  • Statement follows Trump-Machado meeting
  • Machado gave medal as "symbol of appreciation"
  • Foundation cites Alfred Nobel's will
3 min read

'A prize cannot even symbolically be passed on', says Nobel Foundation

The Nobel Foundation reiterates prizes cannot be passed on, following reports Maria Corina Machado gave her Peace Prize medal to Donald Trump.

"A prize can therefore not, even symbolically, be passed on or further distributed. - Nobel Foundation"

Stockholm, January 18

The Nobel Foundation once again reiterated that Nobel Prizes cannot be passed on or further distributed, days after the Institute issued a statement saying that a laureate cannot share the prize with others, nor transfer it once it has been announced.

On Sunday, in a post on X, it said that one of the core missions of the Nobel Foundation is to safeguard the dignity of the Nobel Prizes and their administration.

The post noted, "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 comes after US President Donald Trump met Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel laureate Maria Corina Machado on Thursday and said that she 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 following 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, said 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.

"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, calling it "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, in a post on X, also confirmed that Trump had accepted the Nobel Peace Prize medal.

"President Donald J. Trump meets with Maria 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 said in its post.

Earlier on January 16, the official website for the Nobel Prize said, "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 Norwegian Nobel Committee does not see it as their role to engage in day-to-day commentary on Peace Prize laureates or the political processes that they are engaged in. The prize is awarded on the basis of the laureate' contributions by the time that the committee's decision is taken."

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
Interesting to see the Foundation step in. While the gesture from Machado might have been heartfelt, the integrity of the award itself is paramount. You can't just hand it over like a souvenir.
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Priyanka N
As an Indian, I see this as a classic case of mixing symbolism with hard rules. The Nobel has its own prestige and protocols. You can show gratitude in many ways, but giving away the medal? That's just for show. The Foundation had to put its foot down.
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Aman W
Honestly, it feels like a political stunt. The Nobel Peace Prize shouldn't be used in geopolitical games. The Foundation's statement is a necessary reminder of the award's sanctity. Good on them.
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Karthik V
Respectfully, I think the Foundation is being a bit too rigid here. The medal is a physical object owned by the laureate. If she wants to gift it as a powerful symbolic gesture of thanks, what's the harm? The honor and title remain with her.
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Meera T
The whole episode seems unnecessary. The Nobel is about promoting peace, not creating controversy. Hope future laureates remember the spirit of the award and avoid such theatrics. 🙏

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