Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado expressed her gratitude towards US President Donald Trump after presenting him with her Nobel Peace Prize medal in a closed-door meeting at the White House. The meeting took place on Thursday, ahead of Friday when Machado told reporters that she was grateful to Trump for taking action against Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro.
Machado stated that it "took courage" for Trump to take action against Maduro and reflected on the history between the two countries. She said that a 200-year-old medal given by General Lafayette to Simon Bolivar, which is now on display in Washington's National Archives, symbolizes the brotherhood between the US and Venezuela in their fight for freedom.
Machado presented Trump with her Nobel Peace Prize medal, along with a letter dedicating it to him. She expressed her desire to share the prize with Trump, saying that she wants the Venezuelan people to have control over its distribution. Machado dedicated the prize to Trump and the people of Venezuela shortly after it was announced last year.
President Trump called it a "wonderful gesture of mutual respect" when presented with the medal. Trump also praised Machado as a "wonderful woman who has been through so much." The president stated that he had a great conversation with Venezuela's acting President Delcy Rodríguez during their first call since Maduro was seized by US authorities.
Machado won the Nobel Peace Prize last year for her work promoting democratic rights in Venezuela. Trump, on the other hand, has long coveted and campaigned for winning the prize himself. White House Director of Communications Steven Cheung slammed the Nobel Committee after Machado's announcement, saying that they place politics over peace.
However, Jorgen Watne Frydens, the chair of the Nobel Committee, denied that Trump's campaign had any impact on the decision-making process. The committee bases its decisions solely on the work and will of Alfred Nobel, according to Frydens.
Machado stated that it "took courage" for Trump to take action against Maduro and reflected on the history between the two countries. She said that a 200-year-old medal given by General Lafayette to Simon Bolivar, which is now on display in Washington's National Archives, symbolizes the brotherhood between the US and Venezuela in their fight for freedom.
Machado presented Trump with her Nobel Peace Prize medal, along with a letter dedicating it to him. She expressed her desire to share the prize with Trump, saying that she wants the Venezuelan people to have control over its distribution. Machado dedicated the prize to Trump and the people of Venezuela shortly after it was announced last year.
President Trump called it a "wonderful gesture of mutual respect" when presented with the medal. Trump also praised Machado as a "wonderful woman who has been through so much." The president stated that he had a great conversation with Venezuela's acting President Delcy Rodríguez during their first call since Maduro was seized by US authorities.
Machado won the Nobel Peace Prize last year for her work promoting democratic rights in Venezuela. Trump, on the other hand, has long coveted and campaigned for winning the prize himself. White House Director of Communications Steven Cheung slammed the Nobel Committee after Machado's announcement, saying that they place politics over peace.
However, Jorgen Watne Frydens, the chair of the Nobel Committee, denied that Trump's campaign had any impact on the decision-making process. The committee bases its decisions solely on the work and will of Alfred Nobel, according to Frydens.
Can you imagine if Machado was American? She would've been welcomed with open arms, but because she's from Venezuela (and a vocal critic of their leader), it's like she had to prove herself all over again 
. Trump's praise for her being a "wonderful woman who has been through so much" sounds nice, but was it genuine or just a calculated move to boost his own reputation? 
I'm not buying the "mutual respect" vibe either... Machado deserves credit for speaking truth to power and standing up for democracy, regardless of Trump's intentions 
. By the way, what's with all this politicking around the Nobel Peace Prize? Can't they just focus on promoting peace and understanding without using it as a platform for egos? 
still, it's a weird move. what's the real reason behind her gestures? is it really about peace or is there something more to it? 
Still, I guess it's a step in the right direction for Venezuela. Trump saying Machado is a "wonderful woman" though...that feels kinda off to me. 
. I mean, Machado's showing respect for Trump by giving him her Nobel Peace Prize medal and all, but at the same time, Trump's been super vocal about wanting the prize himself in the past 
. It's like, what's the deal with that? And then you got this whole drama about the Nobel Committee not being swayed by Trump's campaign 
. One thing's for sure, though - it's a pretty interesting dynamic to have going on here 
.
this is crazy, i mean what's next? is trump gonna get the peace prize for literally anything he does? 
. Maybe we should focus on supporting the people of Venezuela rather than trying to one-up each other with awards? 
. Can we talk about how this whole thing went down with Machado and Trump? Like, what was the conversation like between them? Was there any kind of pressure from the Nobel Committee or White House to present the medal to Trump instead? 
. What's next? Is the prize going to be auctioned off to raise funds for Trump's re-election campaign 
. Can't we have a genuine conversation about peace without all the drama 
I'm loving this unexpected twist! Maria Corina Machado is literally breaking all the norms and being super humble and gracious by presenting her own Nobel Peace Prize medal to Trump 
. It's like she's showing that even in a world of politics, we can still find common ground and respect for each other's efforts. And I gotta say, I'm feeling so inspired by her courage and determination 
. And Trump's response? Absolutely wonderful 
. I mean, who doesn't love a good gesture of mutual respect, right? 
On the other hand, I'm still not convinced that Trump deserved the prize in the first place... I mean, didn't he just use it as a way to boost his own ego? 
Maria Corina Machado is literally making history by sharing her Nobel Peace Prize medal with Trump!! I'm all about spreading love and positivity, and this is like the ultimate example of it! 
It's interesting how the White House Director of Communications is already trying to spin this as politics over peace, though. 
. I wonder if Trump was actually sincere about his intentions, or just using it as a PR stunt 
. I'm also curious to see how the Nobel Committee reacts to White House Director Cheung's comments 
.
But what about the timing? Machado wins the prize last year, and now she's giving it to Trump as if he's done some kind of heroic work for Venezuela 
On the other hand, Machado's dedication to promoting democratic rights in Venezuela is truly commendable. 
. Trump's praise for Machado seems genuine, but we should also remember his track record on human rights and democracy.