The Nobel Peace Prize has become a topic of widespread discussion after the 2025 laureate chose to hand over her award to Donald Trump.
Donald Trump has consistently expressed his belief that he was deserving of the esteemed award, which was conferred upon María Corina Machado in the previous year.
After not being selected over Machado, Trump remarked: “When you put out eight wars, in theory, you should get [a Nobel Peace Prize] for each war.
“It makes me feel so good. Not because of a Nobel Prize, but because I saved millions and millions of lives, and that’s what really makes me feel good.”
Earlier, in February 2025, Trump stated (via BBC News): “They will never give me a Nobel Peace Prize. I deserve it, but they will never give it.”
However, Trump has now achieved a part of his aspiration as Machado has bestowed her award upon him.
María Corina Machado met with President Trump in Washington DC on January 15 and officially passed her Nobel Peace Prize to him.
Regarding their meeting, Machado told reporters: “I presented the president of the United States the medal, the Nobel Peace Prize.”
She explained her decision, saying it was done ‘as a recognition for his unique commitment with our freedom’, according to NPR.
The frame given to Trump included the inscription: “Presented as a personal symbol of gratitude on behalf of the Venezuelan people in recognition of President Trump’s principled and decisive action to secure a free Venezuela.”
To be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, one must be nominated. The person making the nomination must meet specific qualifications set by the Norwegian Nobel Committee, which determines the winner.
According to the Nobel Prize website, a nomination is ‘considered valid if it is submitted by a person who falls within one of the following categories, a personal application for an award will not be considered’:
The eligibility of an award recipient hinges on their nominator satisfying the stated criteria.
One cannot nominate oneself for the prize.
There are six steps involved in awarding a Nobel Peace Prize. Initially, the Nobel Committee must receive a nomination from an eligible individual, with the deadline being January 31.
A shortlist is compiled by March, and an advisor review is conducted by June. This is followed by a majority vote, with the winner announced in October.
The Nobel Prize ceremony occurs between October and December.
In essence, the answer is no. The Norwegian Nobel Institute stated before Machado’s gesture to Trump: “Once a Nobel Prize is announced, it cannot be revoked, shared, or transferred to others.”
“The decision is final and stands for all time,” the statement reiterated.