Can Maria Machado transfer her Nobel Peace Prize to Trump? What the Nobel Committee says
The Nobel Peace Committee on Friday put out a statement, saying that the Nobel Prize cannot be transferred by the winner of the prestigious award. The need for clarification came as this year's winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, Venezuela's Opposition leader, María Corina Machado presented her Nobel Medal to US President Donald Trump. The Nobel Committee said that there is no provision of prize transfer, revocation or even sharing of the prize.
New Delhi: Venezuela's Opposition leader, María Corina Machado on Friday presented her Nobel Peace Prize medal to Donald Trump, creating a stir across the world. The fact that she had given her Nobel Peace Prize medal to Trump sent out conflicting signals and doubts regarding the rules that govern the Nobel Prize. The question that was raised in most people's minds was: "Can the Nobel Prize be transferred?"
Nobel Committee's explanation
The Nobel Committee offered an explanation for the Venezuela leader's action. They clarified that there is no provision of the award being transferred to someone else's name. Though they said that the Nobel Medal can be transferred by the awardee to any person or organisation or even put up for auction.
The Committee said, "According to the Statutes of the Nobel Foundation, "No appeals may be made against the decision of a prize-awarding body with regard to the award of a prize”. They clarified that never has the Committee thought of revoking a prize already awarded.
They further said that the Nobel Committee refuses to comment upon what Nobel Laureates, in this case, Peace Prize winner Machado does after they have been awarded the prize. They said that the Committee's mandate is restricted to evaluating the names nominated for a particular year and then giving away the prize on the designated date. Post that, the Committee said it does not have any role to play.
According to a statement issued by the Nobel Committee, the Prize can neither be revoked, shared, nor transferred to others. Once the announcement has been made, the decision stands for all time. They said that a medal might change owners, but the title of the Nobel Peace Prize laureate cannot change.
Current controversy regarding Nobel Prize
The current controversy regarding the Nobel Prize emerged after Venezuela's Opposition leader, Machado presented her award to US President Donald Trump. The US leader shared the news regarding 'having received' the Nobel on his social media handle.
Trump wrote on Truth Social, "It was my Great Honor to meet María Corina Machado, of Venezuela, today. She is a wonderful woman who has been through so much. María presented me with her Nobel Peace Prize for the work I have done. Such a wonderful gesture of mutual respect. Thank you María!"
The White House also later confirmed the development. In a post on 'X', they said, "President Donald J. Trump meets with María Corina Machado of Venezuela in the Oval Office, during which she presented the President with her Nobel Peace Prize in recognition and honor."