Machado visited the White House on Thursday, Jan. 15, where she privately presented the Nobel Peace Prize medal to Trump in the Oval Office. The medal was placed in a gold frame bearing an inscription addressed to the U.S. president, praising his leadership in promoting peace through strength, advancing diplomacy, and defending liberty and prosperity.
The inscription described the presentation as a personal symbol of gratitude on behalf of the Venezuelan people, citing Trump's decisive actions toward securing what it called a free Venezuela. It added that the courage of America and its president would never be forgotten by the Venezuelan people.
In exchange, Trump sent Machado off with a maroon swag bag emblazoned with his signature in gold lettering, according to photos released from the meeting.
Machado received the Nobel Peace Prize in October, an award Trump had publicly expressed interest in winning himself. At the time, she dedicated the honor to Trump, crediting his actions and policies for supporting Venezuela's fight for democracy.
However, Trump later voiced doubts about Machado's ability to lead Venezuela following U.S. strikes in Caracas on Jan. 3 that resulted in the capture of longtime leader Nicolás Maduro and first lady Cilia Flores. Trump said it would be very difficult for Machado to govern, arguing that she lacked sufficient support and respect within the country.
Instead, Trump suggested the United States would oversee Venezuela's transition and allowed Maduro's deputy to be sworn in as acting president.
A White House source later told The Washington Post that Machado's acceptance of the Nobel Peace Prize was viewed by Trump as a serious betrayal. The source claimed that had she rejected the prize and publicly said it belonged to Trump, she would now be Venezuela's president.
Machado later stated that she wanted to give Trump her Nobel Peace Prize, an idea he welcomed publicly. His remarks prompted the Nobel Committee to issue a rare statement clarifying that the prize cannot be revoked, shared, or transferred and permanently belongs to the original recipient.
Following her White House visit, Machado confirmed she presented the medal to Trump as recognition of his commitment to Venezuela's freedom. Trump later praised the gesture on Truth Social, calling it a great honor and thanking Machado for what he described as a sign of mutual respect.
