The White House criticized the Nobel Committee for giving this year’s Peace Prize to Venezuelan activist María Corina Machado instead of President Donald Trump. BBC
The White House has accused the Nobel Committee of favouring politics over peace after it awarded this year’s Peace Prize to Venezuelan activist María Corina Machado instead of President Donald Trump.
The Committee praised Machado for her “tireless work promoting democratic rights for the people of Venezuela.” The announcement drew strong reactions from Washington, where many expected Trump’s name to be among the finalists due to his recent diplomatic efforts.
Trump has long expressed his desire for the Nobel Peace Prize, often highlighting his role in brokering peace deals and reducing global conflicts. During his recent address to the United Nations General Assembly, he once again mentioned his efforts in advancing global peace.
White House Pushes Back
Following the announcement, White House communications director Steven Cheung released a statement criticizing the Nobel Committee.
“The Nobel Committee proved they place politics over peace,” Cheung said. “President Trump will continue making peace deals, ending wars, and saving lives. He has the heart of a humanitarian, and there will never be anyone like him who can move mountains with the sheer force of his will.”
Despite not receiving the award, Trump personally congratulated Machado on her win. A senior White House official confirmed that he called her and told her she deserved the honour.
The timing of the award has drawn attention, coming just two days after Trump helped secure a multi-stage ceasefire in Gaza. The White House described him as “the peace president,” and Trump himself posted “BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS” shortly after the ceasefire announcement.
Global Reactions
Trump’s name has often been linked with the Nobel Peace Prize. Several foreign leaders, including Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have argued that Trump deserves the honour for his peace initiatives.
Russian President Vladimir Putin also commented, saying Trump “was doing a lot to resolve complex crises.” Trump thanked Putin on his Truth Social account, posting a video of the Russian leader saying the Nobel award “has lost credibility.”
Machado also praised Trump in her victory post, writing that she dedicates the award to “the suffering people of Venezuela and to President Trump for his decisive support of our cause.” Trump later shared her message on his own social media.
Questions About Timing and Eligibility
Each year, nominations for the Nobel Peace Prize close at the end of January. The committee reviews nominees from February to September. This means Trump, who took office just before the deadline, might not have been eligible for this year’s award.
Marco Rubio, now Trump’s secretary of state, nominated Machado for the prize back in August 2024, when he was still a senator.
While Trump’s administration has overseen some peace efforts, conflicts like Russia’s war in Ukraine continue. The recent Gaza ceasefire remains in its early stages, and many see it as too soon to judge its success.
Trump’s Broader Record
Since returning to office, Trump has followed an “America-first” approach that reshaped the country’s global role. His administration dismantled several humanitarian programs, including the United States Agency for International Development.
Domestically, Trump’s strict immigration policies have faced criticism from rights groups and judges. His decision to deploy National Guard troops in several cities to address violence also raised legal and political concerns.
To date, four U.S. presidents have won the Nobel Peace Prize — Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, Jimmy Carter, and Barack Obama. Only Obama received the award while in office.
