Nobel Peace Prize 2025: Why Donald Trump Was Rejected and Maria Corina Machado Won, Explains Nobel Committee
Nobel Committee explains why Maria Corina Machado won the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize and why Donald Trump was rejected. Learn the key reasons behind the decision and reactions from global experts.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump with Secretary of State Marco Rubio during a White House meeting. Trump’s Nobel Peace Prize hopes were dashed as Venezuelan leader Maria Corina Machado was named the 2025 laureate.
The Nobel Committee released on Friday the news that the Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado has been honored with the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize for her "unceasing and tireless efforts in the area of promoting rights for democracy and the people of Venezuela and her struggle to effectuate a fair and non-violent transition from dictatorship to democracy."
The announcement is made when the campaign for Trump's support has already caused months of controversy after the former U. S. president's public statement.
🕊 Why Maria Corina Machado Was Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize
The Norwegian Nobel Committee stated that the award to Machado spotlighted her unyielding commitment to democratically restoring Venezuela by non-violent actions. Her activism has not only the power but also the potential to activate worldwide movements for civil rights and justice, particularly in the case of countries experiencing repressive regimes.
Committee chair Jørgen Watne Frydnes defended the panel’s decision, saying:
“This committee sits in a room filled with portraits of all laureates, and that room is filled with both courage and integrity. We base our decisions on the work and the will of Alfred Nobel.”
🚫 Why Donald Trump Was Not Selected
When asked why Donald Trump was not considered, Frydnes reiterated that the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded solely based on “contributions to peace and human fraternity,” not political influence or media campaigns.
Trump has repeatedly claimed credit for ending “seven wars” during his presidency and argued that his diplomatic efforts deserved global recognition. However, international experts say the committee prioritized democratic advocacy over self-nomination or political lobbying.
Halvard Leira, research director at the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs, told Reuters:
“The committee has again demonstrated its independence, refusing to be swayed by popular opinions or political figures. This award reinforces the Nobel’s core values of peace and integrity.”
🇺🇸 U.S. Stance: Supporting Venezuela’s Opposition
Ironically, the U.S. government — under both Republican and Democratic administrations — has long supported Venezuela’s democratic opposition, including Machado’s movement against President Nicolás Maduro.
“This is a cause that the United States itself has endorsed,” said Leira. “So it would be difficult to interpret the decision as an insult to Trump.”
⏳ Could Trump Be Nominated Next Year?
The committee reportedly finalized its decision before the Israel–Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal, a diplomatic initiative linked to Trump’s post-presidency peace efforts in West Asia. Since the deal was announced only days before the Nobel announcement, it came too late to influence the 2025 nominations.
Experts suggest Trump’s future nominations would depend on verifiable diplomatic achievements aligned with Nobel’s criteria for fostering peace, reconciliation, and human welfare.
To date, only four American presidents have won the Nobel Peace Prize — Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, Jimmy Carter, and Barack Obama.
