Former US President Donald Trump has stirred controversy by claiming he deserves the Nobel Peace Prize for "stopping eight wars," and revealed that Venezuelan opposition figure Maria Corina Machado is willing to share her prize with him. This comes amidst a complex political drama involving the leadership of Venezuela and a firm rejection from the Nobel committee in Norway.
Trump's Nobel Ambitions and Machado's Offer
In a recent interview with Sean Hannity, Donald Trump made bold statements about the prestigious award. "I've stopped eight wars," Trump declared, arguing his efforts should be recognized. He expressed that "in theory you should get one for each war." Trump also commented on the location of the Nobel committee, calling it a "major embarrassment to Norway," though he admitted, "I don't know what Norway has to do with it."
The situation became more intricate with the involvement of Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado. Trump stated he is looking forward to welcoming her next week. Machado, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, had earlier dedicated it to Trump. She praised him for his role in the capture of Venezuela's current leader, Nicolas Maduro, and expressed a willingness to share the prize with the former US president.
Norway's Firm Stance: A Non-Transferable Honour
The Norwegian Nobel Institute has swiftly and clearly responded to these developments, shutting down any possibility of prize transfer. Erik Aasheim, a spokesperson for the Institute, which acts as the secretariat for the Norwegian Nobel Committee, stated unequivocally: "A Nobel Prize cannot be revoked nor transferred to others. Once the laureate or laureates are announced, the decision is final."
Aasheim did clarify one point: while the honour and title of the laureate are fixed, the recipient has full autonomy over the prize money. "Laureates are free to dispose of the prize money as they see fit," he added. This means Machado could potentially give the monetary component to Trump, but the award itself and the title of Nobel Laureate remain solely hers.
Political Fallout and Insider Claims
The plot thickens with recent reports citing insiders about a rift between Trump and Machado. Trump has reportedly dismissed Machado as a potential successor to Nicolas Maduro. According to these reports, Machado's "sin" in Trump's eyes was accepting the Nobel Prize instead of declining it and naming Trump as the more deserving candidate.
These unnamed sources claimed that had Machado turned down the award and nominated Trump, she would be the president of Venezuela today. This highlights the complex and often transactional nature of international political alliances, where symbolic gestures like awards can have real-world geopolitical consequences.
The core facts remain: Trump claims credit for peace efforts, Machado offered to share her accolade, and the guardians of the Nobel Peace Prize in Norway have reiterated the inviolable rules of the award. The episode underscores the ongoing political turbulence surrounding Venezuela's future and the enduring, controversial influence of Donald Trump on the world stage.
