Norway stunned after Machado gifts Nobel Peace Prize medal to Trump | World News
Why This Nobel Medal Controversy Is Making Global Headlines
When news broke that Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado had presented her Nobel Peace Prize medal to former US president Donald Trump, reactions were swift—and sharply critical. Nowhere was the backlash stronger than in Norway, the home of the Nobel Peace Prize.
Norwegian politicians across party lines have called the move “absurd,” “embarrassing,” and “damaging”, arguing that while a medal can be handed over, a Nobel Peace Prize itself can never be transferred.
Can a Nobel Peace Prize Be Given Away?
Short answer: No.
According to the Nobel Peace Center, the Norwegian Nobel Committee, and the Norwegian Nobel Institute, the rules are crystal clear:
A Nobel Peace Prize cannot be revoked, shared, transferred, or reassigned.
While a physical medal can change hands, the title of Nobel laureate stays permanently with the original recipient. This clarification was reiterated soon after Machado publicly revealed her intention to gift the medal.
Why Did María Corina Machado Give the Medal to Trump?
Machado said she presented the medal to Trump at the White House as a symbolic gesture, praising what she described as his “unique commitment to freedom.” Trump later posted on Truth Social, suggesting the medal recognized his own efforts.
However, critics argue that this framing blurs symbolic appreciation with official recognition, creating confusion about the meaning and integrity of the prize.
Why Norwegian Politicians Are Outraged
Several senior Norwegian leaders didn’t hold back:
- Kirsti Bergstø, leader of the Socialist Left Party, said the act was “above all, absurd,” adding that Trump’s recent threats toward Greenland made him an unsuitable symbol of peace.
- Trygve Slagsvold Vedum, leader of the Centre Party, described Trump as “a classic showoff,” accusing him of decorating himself with honors earned by others.
- Raymond Johansen, former mayor of Oslo and now secretary general of Norwegian People’s Aid, called the episode “unbelievably embarrassing and damaging” to one of the world’s most respected peace institutions.
Their shared concern? That such gestures risk politicising the Nobel Peace Prize and weakening its global credibility.
Does This Hurt the Nobel Peace Prize’s Reputation?
Many in Norway fear it does.
The Nobel Peace Prize has long been seen as a symbol of moral authority and global ethics. Critics argue that associating it—however informally—with controversial political figures could dilute its meaning and set a troubling precedent.
As Johansen warned, the prize could risk sliding toward “anti-peace legitimisation” if its symbolism is misused.
Official Response: Silence and Distance
The Norwegian foreign ministry declined to comment, emphasizing that the Nobel Peace Prize operates independently of the Norwegian government. Meanwhile, the Nobel Committee itself offered no immediate public response, reinforcing that the rules already speak for themselves.
The Bottom Line
This controversy highlights an important distinction many people overlook:
You can gift a medal—but you cannot gift a Nobel Peace Prize.
For Norway’s political leaders, the concern isn’t just about Donald Trump or María Corina Machado. It’s about protecting the integrity of one of the world’s most powerful symbols of peace.
And for now, that symbol remains firmly non-transferable—no matter who holds the gold frame.
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