The Nobel Peace Prize remains inseparably linked to the person or organisation designated as the laureate, the Norwegian Nobel Committee said on Friday (January 16, 2026), one day after last year’s winner gave part of her award to U.S. President Donald Trump.
The 2025 laureate, Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, on Thursday gave her Nobel Peace Prize medal to Mr. Trump, who thanked her for it.
Nobel Institute says Venezuelan leader Machado can't give Peace Prize to Trump
The White House posted a photo of Trump and Machado with the president holding up a large, gold-coloured frame displaying the medal, and a White House official confirmed that the president intends to keep the it.
In addition to the gold medal, Ms. Machado’s award also consisted of a diploma and 11 million Swedish crowns ($1.19 million).
