US President Donald Trump spoke out after not winning the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize. He said Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, this year’s winner, called him and accepted the award “in honour” of him. Trump claimed, “I didn’t ask for it, but she might have… I helped them during Venezuela’s disaster and saved millions of lives.”
Machado received the Nobel for promoting democracy in Venezuela and pushing for a peaceful transition from dictatorship. Trump had hoped to win for ending “seven wars” and linked the Ukraine conflict to his peacemaking efforts. He listed conflicts he said he resolved, including in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kosovo, Israel-Iran, Egypt-Ethiopia, and Rwanda-Congo. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also supported Trump’s nomination, tweeting that he deserves the prize.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee praised Machado as a “brave and committed champion of peace.” They highlighted her fight for democracy in a world where authoritarian regimes are on the rise. The Committee said her work embodies hope for a future where citizens’ rights are protected and voices are heard. They confirmed she met all three criteria set by Alfred Nobel for the Peace Prize.
