Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has strongly criticised Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado’s decision to give her Nobel Peace Prize medal to former US President Donald Trump, calling it a “gold‑plated collision of Venezuelan desperation and American ego.” Tharoor made these remarks as part of a reflective opinion piece, arguing that the episode is less about peace and more about political theatre and power.
In his commentary, Tharoor wrote that Machado’s act “smells of desperation‑driven politics” and that it appeared designed to win favour with a White House that has publicly moved away from backing her as Venezuela’s future leader. He termed the spectacle as performance art—suggesting the gesture was so theatrically motivated that it blurred the lines between genuine diplomacy and political spectacle.
Tharoor emphasised that Trump himself has exhibited “a level of amoral ruthlessness” in his approach to global politics—an attribute he believes critics often underestimate. By presenting the medal to Trump, Tharoor argued, Machado may have inadvertently weakened her own bargaining position and symbolic leverage, likening her effort to “flatter the king,”while Trump’s acceptance becomes an “Art of the Steal.”
What Machado Actually Did
The controversy stems from Machado’s visit to the White House, where she met with President Trump and ceremonially presented him with her Nobel Peace Prize medal. Sources report that the medal was placed in a gilded frame with inscriptions praising Trump’s role in supporting Venezuelan freedom and promoting peace—an act symbolising her gratitude and political alliance. Trump publicly accepted the gesture and expressed thanks.
This exchange has drawn global attention not only because of its unusual nature but also due to its political context:
- Machado, who won the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize for her advocacy of democratic rights in Venezuela, has been sidelined in her country’s political transition. After the successful US‑backed operation that ousted longtime leader Nicolás Maduro, Trump signalled support for interim President Delcy Rodríguez rather than Machado.
- Her gesture was partly seen as an attempt to regain relevance with the US administration, which she hoped would back her leadership bid in Venezuela’s future.
- The episode has generated international debate about the nature of peace credentials and the symbolic versus substantive value of global awards like the Nobel Peace Prize.
Nobel Committee Clarifies Prize Status
The Norwegian Nobel Committee has responded to the controversy by emphasising that the Nobel Peace Prize itself cannot be transferred—even if a medal or other physical components change hands. Under Nobel Foundation statutes, once an award is decided, it remains attached to the original laureate. Thus, while Trump may hold the framed medal and publicly display it, he is not a Nobel Peace Prize winner in official terms.
The Committee’s statement aimed to draw a clear distinction between the symbolic presence of the medal and the formal recognition of the award, underscoring that Machado remains the 2025 Peace Prize laureate regardless of subsequent gestures involving the prize artefacts.
Broader Global Reactions
The unusual turn of events has sparked responses across political and geographical lines:
- World media outlets have described the gesture as ranging from “absurd” to strategic political posturing, with some commentators saying it highlights deeper geopolitical tensions around Venezuela’s future.
- Reports from international sources highlight how Machado publicly called on Trump to continue supporting democratic change in Venezuela even as her own political capital appears to be diminishing.
- The Nobel Committee’s clear reaffirmation that medals can physically change hands but titles cannot has been closely reported around the world, keeping legal and institutional norms in focus.
Why It Matters
The episode touches on several complex intersections in international politics:
Geopolitics and legitimacy: Machado’s gesture occurred in a moment when her bid to lead Venezuela faces challenges, even amid US diplomatic and military involvement in the country’s transition.
Symbolism vs reality of awards: The Nobel Peace Prize carries deep international prestige. Questions have emerged about how such honours should be deployed when mixed with realpolitik and strategic alliances.
Domestic political narratives: Trump’s long‑expressed desire for the Nobel Peace Prize adds another layer to the story, as does Machado’s aim to use symbolism as part of her political leverage.
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