In a move that has reignited global political discourse, the Nobel Foundation has issued a stark and unambiguous declaration: the Nobel Peace Prize is not a token to be gifted, shared, or passed on—not even as a symbolic gesture. This statement comes in direct response to a series of events and comments surrounding former U.S. President Donald Trump and the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize winner, Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado.
Table of Contents
- The Nobel Foundation’s Rare Public Statement
- The Trump and Machado Incident: What Really Happened?
- Nobel Peace Prize Rules Explained: Why Transfer is Impossible
- Trump’s History with the Nobel Peace Prize
- Why This Matters for the Nobel’s Legacy
- Conclusion: A Prize Beyond Politics
- Sources
The Nobel Foundation’s Rare Public Statement
The Nobel Foundation, known for its discretion and solemnity, rarely steps into the political fray. However, recent events compelled it to make an exception. In a formal statement, the Foundation stressed that a Nobel Prize “cannot be transferred or passed on, even symbolically” . This is not a new rule but a foundational principle of the prize’s integrity, designed to protect its dignity and ensure it remains a personal honor bestowed upon the individual who conferred “the greatest benefit to humankind” .
This clarification was a direct response to a perceived attempt to blur the lines of the prize’s ownership, a move that the Foundation deemed a threat to its very essence.
The Trump and Machado Incident: What Really Happened?
The controversy stems from remarks made by Donald Trump at the UN General Assembly in September 2025. During his speech, Trump stated, “Everyone says I should get the Nobel Peace Prize” . This comment came shortly after the announcement that María Corina Machado, a prominent critic of Venezuela’s regime, had been awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize.
Reports then surfaced that Machado, in a gesture of goodwill or political alignment, had offered her prize to Trump. When asked by Reuters if he wanted Machado to give him the prize, Trump responded ambiguously, saying, “No, I didn’t say that. She won the Nobel Peace Prize” . Despite his denial, the mere suggestion that the prize could be a transferable object was enough to trigger the Nobel Foundation’s firm rebuttal .
Nobel Peace Prize Rules Explained: Why Transfer is Impossible
The Foundation’s stance is rooted in over a century of strict protocol. The rules governing the Nobel Prizes are clear and absolute:
- No Transfer or Sharing: Once awarded, the prize belongs solely to the recipient. It cannot be revoked, shared, or transferred to another person under any circumstances .
- No Posthumous Awards: Since 1974, the statutes have explicitly forbidden awarding the prize posthumously, unless the laureate dies after the announcement has been made in October .
- Final and Binding Decision: The decision of the Norwegian Nobel Committee is final and stands for all time, leaving no room for reinterpretation or symbolic gestures .
These rules exist to safeguard the prize from becoming a political bargaining chip or a ceremonial trinket. The Nobel Peace Prize is intended as a personal recognition of a specific, monumental contribution to peace, not a general commendation that can be redirected.
Trump’s History with the Nobel Peace Prize
This is not the first time Trump’s name has been linked to the prestigious award. Over the years, he has been formally nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize at least a dozen times . His nominations have come from various international figures, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who cited Trump’s role in brokering Middle East peace deals . Pakistan also announced a nomination for him in mid-2025 .
Despite this consistent stream of nominations, Trump has never been selected as a laureate. His public comments often express a belief that he deserves the award, creating a persistent narrative that contrasts sharply with the Nobel Committee’s silence on his candidacy. This latest incident with Machado appears to be another chapter in his long-standing, and so far unfulfilled, desire for the prize.
Why This Matters for the Nobel’s Legacy
The Nobel Foundation’s swift and decisive action is about more than just correcting a misunderstanding; it’s about protecting a global institution. In an era where political theater often overshadows substantive achievement, the Foundation is drawing a hard line in the sand. By reiterating that the prize is non-transferable, they are reinforcing its core value: it is a singular, personal honor for a specific act of service to humanity.
Allowing even a symbolic transfer would set a dangerous precedent, potentially devaluing the award and opening the door for future political manipulation. The Foundation’s mission, as stated on its official website, is to “safeguard the dignity of the Nobel Prizes and their administration” . This recent statement is a powerful demonstration of that commitment in action.
Conclusion: A Prize Beyond Politics
The Nobel Foundation’s message is clear and unwavering: the Nobel Peace Prize is not a political prop or a gift to be exchanged. It is a sacred trust, awarded to an individual for their unique and irreplaceable contribution to peace. While figures like Donald Trump may continue to seek its validation, the rules are absolute. The prize cannot be passed on, symbolically or otherwise. Its power lies in its singularity and its unwavering connection to the laureate’s own actions—a principle the Nobel Foundation will defend at all costs.
Sources
- India Today. “Venezuela’s Machado gives Trump her Nobel Peace Prize”
- Various sources. “Sorry, Mr President. The Nobel foundation says you can’t…”
- Reuters. “Asked on Wednesday if he wanted Machado to give him the prize…”
- News reports. “‘Not Even Symbolically’: Nobel Foundation Rejects…”
- Nobel Foundation Charter. “It states that the prizes shall be awarded to those who…”
- Official Nobel Prize documentation. “A Nobel Prize cannot be revoked, shared, or transferred…”
- NobelPrize.org. “Statement from the Nobel Foundation”
- Historical records. “Since 1974, the Nobel Foundation’s statutes have stipulated…”
- Political analysis. “What Trump’s Nobel Nominations Say About the Peace Prize”
- International news. “Donald Trump was recently nominated for the Nobel Peace…”
- Fact-checking reports. “How many times has Trump been nominated for Nobel prize?”