After Maria Corina Machado handed over her Nobel Peace Prize medal to US President Donald Trump, Norway criticized her for handing over her Nobel Peace Prize medal to Donald Trump.

Following the presentation of the Nobel Peace Prize Prize medal she received last month in Oslo, Norwegian politicians and experts expressed their rejection on Friday, calling the Venezuelan opposition leader's gesture "pathetic." On Thursday, during her meeting with Trump, Machado presented him with her Nobel Peace Prize medal, which she received on December 12 in Oslo, an action that outraged Norwegian politicians and specialists. The events generated a broad debate about the respect and legitimacy of one of the world's most prestigious awards. "Pathetic," they call Machado's behavior with her Nobel Prize. "That is completely unheard of," said Janne Haaland Matlary, a professor at the University of Oslo and former politician, in statements to the public broadcaster NRK. Matlary called the act “a total lack of respect for the prize,” “senseless,” and “pathetic.” Former mayor of Oslo and leader of the NGO Norwegian People's Aid, Raymond Johansen, agreed that what happened was “incredibly shameful and damaging to one of the most prestigious and important awards in the world.” In his Facebook post, Johansen warned that the awarding of the prize “is now so politicized and potentially so dangerous that it could easily legitimize a counter-peaceful trend.” Politicians from various parties also questioned the awarding, including former Foreign Minister and Liberal MP Ine Eriksen Søreide. “Even if Trump received the medal, that doesn't mean he won the Peace Prize,” she stated. For his part, the leader of the Center Party, Trygve Slagsvold Vedum, called the action typical of “a classic fool.” who has to appropriate the distinctions and work of others.”

Kirsti Bergstø, leader of the Socialist Left Party,He described it as “absurd and senseless.” This party and the Rojo party, both allies of the minority Labor government,had previously criticized Machado's selection as laureate. Rojo's foreign policy spokesperson, Bjørnar Moxnes, emphasized that the medal is now “hanging in Trump's office” and defended the need to reform the Nobel Committee, whose members are appointed by the Norwegian Parliament every six years. The Norwegian Nobel Committee reiterated that the Nobel Peace Prize is non-transferable, as it is inextricably linked to the person or organization awarded the prize. However, she clarified that the physical medal can be given away, highlighting the distinction between the official recognition and the symbolic object. Machado defended the gesture as an act of “gratitude” from the Venezuelan people to Trump for his actions in favor of freedom in Venezuela. The opposition leader presented the medal in a gold frame with the inscription: “In gratitude for his extraordinary leadership in promoting peace.” Although controversial, this is not the first time a Nobel Prize has been given away or sold. In 2022, Dmitry Muratov donated the proceeds from his medal to help Ukrainian refugees. One of the most remembered cases occurred in 1943, when the Norwegian writer Knut Hamsun sent his medal to Joseph Goebbels, the Nazi propaganda minister.

Machado gives her Nobel Prize medal to Trump

After their first meeting at the White House, and in a private meeting, Maria Corina Machado presented Trump with her Nobel Peace Prize medal. The images were shared on the White House social media accounts. The president appears with the framed Nobel Prize medal. On his social media accounts, Trump highlighted Machado's gift and stated that she gave it to him for the work he has done, calling the opposition leader a "wonderful woman." "She is a wonderful woman who has been through so much. Maria gave me her Nobel Peace Prize for the work I have done. A wonderful gesture of mutual respect," Trump wrote on Truth Social.