Oslo, Norway – The Nobel Committee has issued a statement reaffirming that the laureate officially recognized in history is the sole recipient of the prestigious Nobel Prize, following the controversial presentation of a Nobel Peace Prize medal to former U.S. President Donald Trump by Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado.
In a statement released from Oslo, the Committee emphasized that any actions concerning the medal, diploma, or monetary award associated with the Prize do not alter the original recipient’s identity. The Committee stated, “Even if possession of the medal or diploma is later transferred to another person, the Prize winner alone is recorded in history as the deserving recipient of the Prize.”
The Committee also indicated that it would not comment on the political affiliations or actions of laureates. It noted that the regulations do not impose restrictions on how recipients handle their medals, diplomas, or financial rewards. The statement highlighted that some past winners have sold their medals or donated them for humanitarian causes.
Machado’s presentation of the medal to Trump has sparked debate and speculation. Some observers view the gesture as an attempt to curry favor with the former U.S. President, particularly after Washington’s shift in policy towards the Maduro regime. Machado stated that Trump deserved the award for what she described as his role in ending eight wars, while also expressing gratitude for his actions concerning Venezuela.
Reactions in Europe have been mixed. While the European Union has refrained from issuing an official statement, senior officials within the European Commission and Council have reportedly expressed surprise and bewilderment. Norwegian political and media circles have labeled the move as “absurd,” “unprecedented,” and “pathetic.” Some academics at the University of Oslo have asserted that Machado’s decision reflects a “lack of respect that diminishes the value of the Prize,” arguing that its use for political purposes damages the reputation of one of the world’s most prominent awards.
The Norwegian Nobel Institute had previously issued a statement emphasizing that after the announcement of the award, the winner is protected by the Prize’s history and statutes.
