On Friday, former US President Donald Trump remarked on not receiving the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, stating that Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado accepted it 'in his honor'.
During a media interaction, Trump elucidated, "The actual Nobel recipient called me today, saying, 'I'm accepting this on your behalf because you truly deserved it,' which was quite generous."
Trump humorously added, "However, I didn't suggest, 'Hand it over to me.'" He emphasized his joy, asserting he contributed to saving millions of lives.
Nobel laureate Maria Corina Machado dedicated her Peace Prize not only to the Venezuelan citizens but also to President Trump. In a social media post, she remarked, "I dedicate this award to the suffering people of Venezuela and to President Trump's unwavering support for our cause."
Previously, the White House criticized the Nobel committee’s decision, suggesting that political factors outweighed merit. White House spokesperson Steven Cheung posted online, "President Trump continues to broker peace agreements, end wars, and save lives. His humanitarian heart is unparalleled."
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Trump's Longstanding Nobel Aspiration
For years, Trump claimed a rightful place among Peace Prize recipients, citing his global conflict resolution efforts. He reiterated his mediation in eight peace accords, including those between Israel and Gaza, and India and Pakistan. Trump recalled, "In India's case, seven planes were shot down, and I mediated primarily through trade relations."
He explained, "I leveraged tariffs, saying, 'If this persists, we will impose significant tariffs on your nation,' leading both parties to cease hostilities as nuclear-armed countries." Although Trump has frequently credited himself for resolving May’s India-Pakistan conflict, India has refuted these claims.
Maria Machado received the Nobel Peace Prize for her relentless advocacy of Venezuela’s democratic rights and her fair, peaceful fight for a transition to democracy from dictatorship.
