Short answer: No. A Nobel Peace Prize cannot be transferred, shared, or revoked.
The Norwegian Nobel Institute clarified this on Friday after Venezuelan opposition leader Marรญa Corina Machado suggested she wanted to give or share her recent Nobel Peace Prize with US President Donald Trump.
Hereโs what you need to know.
What did the Nobel Institute say?
In a brief statement, the Norwegian Nobel Institute said that once a Nobel Peace Prize is awarded, the decision is permanent.
โThe decision is final and stands for all time,โ the institute said.
That means the prize cannot be passed on to another person, even symbolically.
Why did this issue come up?
The clarification followed comments by Machado during a Fox News interview earlier this week. Speaking to host Sean Hannity, she said she wanted to give or share the prize with Trump, crediting him for his role in a US operation that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolรกs Maduro.
Maduro, who has ruled Venezuela as an authoritarian leader, is facing drug trafficking charges in New York.
Machado called Trumpโs actions โhistoricโ and said they marked โa huge step toward a democratic transitionโ for Venezuela.
Did Machado formally dedicate the prize to Trump?
Yes, in part. Shortly after the Nobel Peace Prize was announced, Machado dedicated the award to both Trump and the people of Venezuela, describing it as โa prize of the Venezuelan people.โ
Still, the Nobel Instituteโs rules make clear that the award remains hers alone.
Whatโs Trumpโs role in all this?
Trump has long expressed interest in winning a Nobel Peace Prize and has openly campaigned for one since returning to office.
While he welcomed Machadoโs comments, Trump has not backed her to lead Venezuela following Maduroโs capture. Instead, he has voiced support for acting President Delcy Rodrรญguez, who previously served as Maduroโs vice president.
Trump has described Machado as a โvery nice womanโ but said she does not currently have enough support inside Venezuela to govern.
Speaking again with Hannity on Thursday, Trump said Machado plans to visit next week and called the idea of a Nobel Peace Prize dedication a โgreat honor.โ
What happens next?
For now, nothing changes regarding the prize itself.
The Nobel Peace Prize remains with Machado, and Nobel officials have made clear the matter is closed.
Photo: Norway Nobel Peace Prizeยฉย Ole Berg-Rusten
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