The Norwegian Nobel Committee issued a firm statement emphasizing that the Nobel Peace Prize is a personal and non-transferable honor. This announcement follows an event where Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado presented the medal to U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House.
According to the Nobel Foundation's release, one of its primary goals is to "preserve the dignity of the Nobel Prizes and ensure their proper administration."
The organization stressed that these awards "cannot be transferred or shared, even symbolically," underscoring that the accolade is eternally tied to the awarded individual.
This statement was made in response to Machado's recent gesture. She was honored with the Nobel Peace Prize in December 2025 for her significant role in Venezuela's democratic transition after Nicolás Maduro's regime fell.
During a ceremony in Washington, the Venezuelan leader handed her medal to Trump as a token of gratitude for his role in the operation that led to the capture of former leader Chávez and his wife, Cilia Flores, earlier this year.
The Committee also reiterated that it typically does not comment on actions taken by laureates after the award, emphasizing their responsibility is limited to assessing achievements up to the award date.
"The prize and the laureate are inseparable. Even if the medal, diploma, or prize money changes hands, the recognition remains with the individual designated as the winner," the statement affirmed.
As of this article's publication, neither María Corina Machado nor Donald Trump have commented on whether the U.S. President will return the medal to the opposition leader.
Nonetheless, the political gesture has sparked significant debate within diplomatic and academic circles. Meanwhile, Republican lawmakers such as María Elvira Salazar and Mario Díaz-Balart have publicly praised the award as a testament to Trump's leadership in Venezuelan policy.
The Nobel Foundation's statement concludes by noting that the medals, crafted from 18-carat gold and weighing 196 grams, serve as physical symbols of recognition but do not convey ownership of the prize or its historical title.
Understanding the Nobel Peace Prize Controversy
Why did María Corina Machado give her Nobel medal to Donald Trump?
María Corina Machado awarded her Nobel medal to Donald Trump to express gratitude for his administration's assistance in the operation that resulted in the capture of former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.
What is the stance of the Nobel Committee on transferring the Peace Prize?
The Nobel Committee firmly states that the Nobel Peace Prize is a personal award that cannot be transferred or shared, even symbolically. The honor remains permanently associated with the individual who was originally awarded.
Has Donald Trump responded to receiving the Nobel medal?
As of the time this article was written, neither Donald Trump nor María Corina Machado have issued statements regarding whether Trump will return the medal.