A person who aspires to articulate a peaceful and harmonious society or the world, continues to do so, irrespective of any recognition, reward or acknowledgement. On the other hand, if a person does a work only for the sake of recognition, then he will detach from his goal once he gains the desired reward. He also debunks the goal of global peace and harmony if the aspired reward is not rendered despite repeated loud assertions, demands and even irrational threats. This is the saga of US President Donald Trump, which illustrates his desperation for the Nobel Peace Prize.
What does the Trump and Machado duo claim?
Recently, the opposition leader of Venezuela Maria Corina Machado won the Nobel Peace Prize for 2025 in recognition of her work in restoring democracy, free speech and liberty in the country against the atrocities of the authoritarian regime. However, she presented, apparently transferred her Nobel Peace Prize to US President Donald Trump. It is said that Machado honoured the US President in recognition of his incredible work towards restoring and promoting global peace.
Accepting the Nobel Peace Prize from Machado, Donald Trump reiterated that the Venezuelan leader gave him the prize in recognition for his deed of ending eight wars globally and saving millions of lives. Machado said nobody in history deserved the Nobel Peace Prize as much as the US President, exclaimed Trump while quoting the words of Machado. It was a gesture of mutual respect, Donald Trump added. Meanwhile, Maria Machado in the aftermath of presenting the Nobel Peace Prize to Trump claimed that the reward was transferred in recognition of Trump’s commitment to the freedom of Venezuela.
The White House drama debunked by Nobel Committee
However, the ‘Nobel’ episode unleashed at the White House between the US President Donald Trump and the opposition leader of Venezuela Maria Machado was outrightly refuted by the Nobel Prize Committee. They neither recognized the transfer of the award nor acknowledged the role of Trump in global peacemaking. The action of both the US President and the Nobel Peace Prize winner has been widely criticized. It is deemed as a disrespect to the ‘Nobel’ committee, award and the founding father of the prize. Moreover, questions have been raised regarding the Nobel Prize rules, such as can the award be transferred or revoked?
The Norwegian Nobel Institute has clarified that despite the transfer, as per the records the Nobel Peace Prize belongs to Venezuelan leader Machado and not the US President Donald Trump. “Though Machado gave Trump the gold medal that accompanies the prize, the honour remains hers. The Norwegian Nobel Institute has stated that the prize cannot be transferred, shared, or revoked. The decision is final and stands for all time”, the Nobel committee released a strong and firm statement.
“No awarding committee in Stockholm or Oslo has ever considered rescinding a prize once it has been awarded, regardless of any subsequent actions by the laureates. This is something we follow closely, sometimes with great concern. However, as a matter of principle, the Norwegian Nobel Committee does not comment on what Peace Prize laureates may say or do after receiving the prize. The Committee’s mandate is restricted to evaluating the work and efforts of nominated candidates up to the moment the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded for a given year”, the Nobel Prize committee further asserted, thus halting the controversy surrounding the 2025 Nobel Peace prize. The prize eternally remains with Maria Machado, as per the history books and Donald Trump is not the ‘global peacemaker’, irrespective of the personal gestures.
Norway on the other hand has erupted in anger and has severely protested the actions of Maria Machado as it is deemed as a symbol of disrespect to Alfred Nobel, who curated the concept of Nobel Prize. Norwegian political leaders decoded the actions of Machado as “absurd” and a threat to the ideals of Alfred Nobel. The actions of Donald Trump are also refuted as “show off”, “embarassing” and “damaging” by the Norwegian leaders. They claimed that the award given to genuine work is now completely politicized to fulfill personal ambitions. Another Norwegian leader condemned the White House episode as, “total lack of respect for the peace prize and utterly pathetic”. “She gives it away like it’s a trading item she can use in negotiations with Trump, as if he should give her something in return”, another Norwegian leader wrote.
Self proclaimed ‘global peacemaker’ title ends with the denial of Nobel Prize
As soon as the Nobel Prize committee issued its strong assertion over the entitlement of the Peace Prize, US President Donald Trump debunked his role as a ‘global peacemaker’ and justified his aspiration to annex Greenland. He exclaimed that the denial of the Nobel Peace Prize has ended his responsibility and obligation to work for global peace, thus he can capture Greenland from Denmark without any obligation. Trump inked these justifications in a letter to the Prime Minister of Norway.
“Dear Jonas: Considering your country decided not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize for having stopped eight wars plus (sic), I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of peace although it will always be predominant, but can now think about what is good and proper for the United States of America”, Trump wrote addressing the Norway Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store. These exclamations by the US President reflects his audacity and desperateness towards the Nobel Peace Prize. It also depicts his real commitment towards global peace.
In an attempt to annex Greenland, in the previous week Trump imposed 10 per cent tariffs on Denmark and seven other European countries who opposed the United States taking over the Arctic country. He has also threatened to impose additional tariffs, if the control of Greenland is not handed over to the Trump administration. However, Denmark and other European countries have been strong to defend the sovereignty, territorial integrity and strategic autonomy of Greenland. For example, French President Emmanuel Macron reiterated the need to deploy land, air and sea assets to Greenland to defend its security. He also criticized any efforts of colonialism in Europe, indirectly referring to the US President.
The actions of Venezuelan leader Maria Machado and the US President Donald Trump thus raises apprehension regarding the real reason behind advocating peace. Is it to carve a world of peace, harmony and democracy or is it a powerplay to consolidate the hegemonic ambitions across the geopolitical spectrum!
