The Prize That Slipped Through Trump’s Fingers

Despite an intense and public campaign, the Nobel Peace Prize slipped through Donald Trump’s fingers on Friday. The coveted 2025 award went instead to María Corina Machado, a Venezuelan democracy advocate, in a decision that highlights the Nobel committee’s distinct values and priorities.
Trump’s push for the prize had been relentless, reaching a peak after his involvement in a Gaza ceasefire proposal was met with international approval. His supporters saw the award as a fitting acknowledgment of his “America First” diplomacy, which they argue successfully disrupted traditional, ineffective foreign policy norms.
However, the Norwegian Nobel Committee opted for a more traditional laureate. Machado was honored for her long-standing, non-violent struggle for democratic rights in Venezuela. The committee praised her for unifying the opposition and consistently advocating for a peaceful transition of power.
The White House was quick to respond to the snub, issuing a statement that framed Trump as a leader undeterred by the opinions of international committees. The message was clear: his work of “ending wars, and saving lives” would continue with or without a Nobel medal.
Nobel experts had long predicted this outcome, noting that the committee tends to reward those who strengthen international fraternity and institutions. Trump’s often-unilateral approach, while producing some results, was always seen as a poor fit for a prize centered on cooperation.