Donald Trump’s intensive campaign for the Nobel Peace Prize came to an end on Friday as the prestigious award was bestowed upon Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado. The former U.S. President, who had ramped up his lobbying efforts following international attention on his Gaza ceasefire proposal, was ultimately passed over by the Norwegian Nobel Committee.
The 2025 prize was awarded to Machado for her role in uniting Venezuela’s political opposition and her persistent advocacy for democratic rights. The committee celebrated her as a crucial figure in the struggle for free elections and a peaceful transition away from authoritarian rule, a stark contrast to the transactional diplomacy often associated with Trump.
In response to the decision, the White House released a defiant statement, asserting that the snub would not deter Trump’s efforts on the global stage. “The US President will continue to make peace deals, end wars, and save lives,” the communication’s director posted on X, adding that Trump’s will could “move mountains.”
Longtime observers of the Nobel process had long expressed skepticism about Trump’s chances. Experts noted the committee’s historical tendency to honor sustained, often decades-long, work in peace-building and international cooperation. This stands in contrast to the more headline-driven nature of Trump’s foreign policy achievements.
The selection of Machado is seen as a reaffirmation of the committee’s core values, prioritizing individuals who work tirelessly against systemic oppression. Last year, the prize was awarded to Nihon Hidankyo, a group of Japanese atomic bomb survivors, further highlighting the focus on long-term advocacy for peace.