 "Hailed for her ‘tireless work’, Maria Corina Machado is Trump’s ‘some guy who didn’t do a damn thing’")
Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado has been awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize for what the committee described as her “tireless work for democracy, human rights and non-violent resistance” against authoritarian rule.
The decision, however, drew sharp reactions from US President Donald Trump, who criticised the Nobel Committee after being overlooked once again.
Speaking shortly after the announcement, Trump claimed the committee had “ignored” his achievements, insisting that the prize would instead go to “some guy who didn’t do a damn thing.” The remark, now making headlines globally was widely interpreted as a jab at Machado’s selection, though Trump did not mention her by name.
The Nobel Committee, in its citation, praised Machado’s courage and commitment to democratic reform in Venezuela, hailing her as a “symbol of peaceful resistance” who continued to campaign despite intimidation and political disqualification.
Her recognition, the committee said, was a testament to the “resilience of democratic movements in the face of repression.”
In contrast, Trump, who has been nominated for the Peace Prize multiple times since leaving office, expressed frustration at what he described as the committee’s political bias. He argued that his diplomatic efforts including brokering agreements in the Middle East and reducing tensions on the Korean Peninsula made him a deserving candidate.
“They never give it to the people who actually do things,” Trump said, alleging that the selection process had been “rigged for years.”
Analysts note that while Trump’s foreign policy record remains contentious, the Nobel Committee’s decision this year reflects a deliberate focus on grassroots movements and individual activism rather than state-led diplomacy. Reuters reported that the panel sought to highlight “the power of civic courage in times of global authoritarian resurgence.”
Impact Shorts
More ShortsMachado’s supporters celebrated the award as a victory for Venezuelan democracy. Exiled opposition figures described it as “a global recognition of Venezuela’s struggle for freedom.” Her political career has been marked by repeated clashes with President Nicolás Maduro’s government, including bans from public office and accusations of treason, charges widely dismissed by international observers.
Meanwhile, Trump’s reaction has reignited debate over the politicisation of the Nobel Peace Prize. Some of his allies claim the former president’s record on peace agreements has been unfairly dismissed, while critics argue that his confrontational style undermined diplomatic progress.
As global leaders congratulated Machado, the Nobel Committee reiterated that the 2025 award was meant to “honour those who persist in non-violence and democratic advocacy under the most difficult conditions.”
For Trump, however, the announcement served as yet another reminder that global acclaim can be elusive, even for those convinced they have earned it.
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