Maria Corina Machado wins 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, Trump snub prompts White House reaction

White House says Trump “will continue making peace deals” after Nobel Committee picks Venezuelan opposition leader

October 10, 2025

Peace prize goes to Venezuela’s María Machado, not Trump

The Norwegian Nobel Committee on Friday announced Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado as the winner of the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, choosing her over US President Donald Trump, who had been widely speculated to be in the running following his recent diplomatic efforts in the Middle East.

Machado was honoured “for her tireless work promoting democratic rights for the people of Venezuela and for her struggle to achieve a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy,” the committee said in Oslo. The award carries a prize of 11 million Swedish kronor ($1.2 million).

In response to the announcement, the White House issued a statement defending President Trump’s peace-building record and taking a subtle jab at the Nobel Committee’s decision.

“President Trump will continue making peace deals, ending wars, and saving lives. He has the heart of a humanitarian, and there will never be anyone like him who can move mountains with the sheer force of his will,” the White House Director of Communications wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

In a pointed remark, the statement added, “Once again, the Nobel Committee has proved they place politics over peace.”

Trump, who recently brokered a ceasefire and hostage release deal in Gaza, has been openly campaigning for the Nobel Peace Prize, often highlighting his diplomatic achievements during public appearances.

While Trump has yet to comment directly on the Nobel decision, he posted three videos on his Truth Social platform showing supporters celebrating the Gaza deal on Friday morning.

Machado, one of Venezuela’s most prominent opposition figures, has long championed democracy, human rights, and political reform in a nation grappling with deep authoritarian control. Her selection marks a significant nod to global efforts for democratic renewal amid a rise in autocratic regimes worldwide.

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