The Norwegian Nobel Committee issued a statement affirming the firm rule that the Nobel Peace Prize cannot be transferred, reassigned, or revoked after being awarded. This followed Maria Corina Machado, the 2025 laureate, hinting on a news program that she might give the prize to President Donald Trump as a gesture of gratitude for helping to detain Nicolás Maduro.
The Norwegian Nobel Institute released a statement confirming that according to the Foundation's regulations, the Nobel Peace Prize cannot be transferred, reassigned, or revoked after the announcement. The decision is final and permanent. The Nobel Prize Committee and Institute stated, "Once the Nobel Prize is announced, it cannot be revoked, shared, or transferred to others." This ruling is final and not subject to appeal.
This clarification responded to reports regarding Maria Corina Machado, Venezuelan opposition leader and 2025 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, who gave an interview on Sean Hannity's Fox News program last Monday (5 Jan). She indicated that transferring the prize to President Donald Trump would express the gratitude of the Venezuelan people.
During the program, Machado said this intention arose after Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was arrested by U.S. authorities last week. When Hannity pressed if she had actually offered the prize to Trump, she replied, "Not yet (at this time)."
Formerly keen on the Nobel Prize, President Donald Trump said he would be deeply honored to receive the prize if Machado were to present it to him during their meeting in Washington next week.
Machado, a former member of Venezuela's National Assembly, was disqualified from running in the 2024 general election by authorities aligned with Maduro. Nevertheless, she supported a candidate widely seen as having won the election decisively, despite Maduro declaring victory amid serious transparency concerns. Independent observers noted clear irregularities in the election results.
The Nobel Institute emphasized that the Committee will not comment on any actions or statements made by laureates after receiving the award, but reiterated that legally the rights to the prize cannot be transferred to others.