In what many liberals hoped would be a jab at President Donald Trump, the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to María Corina Machado — Venezuela’s leading opposition voice against its socialist regime. But she’s not exactly a foe of Trump. In fact, she’s publicly praised him for his stand on freedom and democracy in Venezuela.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee called Machado a “brave and committed champion of peace” who “keeps the flame of democracy burning during a growing darkness,” according to chair Jørgen Watne Frydnes. The decision to honor her comes just days after Israel and Hamas agreed to a phase-one ceasefire — an agreement some hoped would finally tip the scales toward recognizing Trump’s efforts for Middle East peace. It didn’t. At least, not this year.
Trump’s allies — including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, GOP members of Congress, and families of Israeli hostages — had lobbied the committee to award Trump the Peace Prize, citing his 20-point Gaza peace plan and his claim to have “ended seven wars.” One emotional appeal called him “the light in our darkest times.”
It turns out, his Peace Prize dreams aren’t dead — just deferred. The real reason he didn’t have a shot at this year’s prize is that committee’s rules state that nominations closed in January, well before the latest developments in Gaza and right after Trump’s swearing in. That means any diplomatic successes in 2025 — should they hold — could make him a contender next year.
Frydnes made it clear that flashy campaigns and public pressure don’t sway the committee. When asked if Trump’s vocal self-nomination campaign had any effect, he responded:
“In the long history of the Nobel Peace Prize, I think this committee has seen many types of campaign, media attention. We receive thousands and thousands of letters every year of people wanting to say what, for them, leads to peace. This committee sits in a room filled with the portraits of all laureates and that room is filled with both courage and integrity. So we base only our decision on the work and the will of Alfred Nobel.”
But choosing Machado isn’t the Trump snub some libs might think. She’s spent years standing up to the socialist dictatorship in Venezuela — a government Trump took head-on during his administration. She’s been banned from running for office, forced into hiding, and repeatedly threatened, yet she continues to lead the charge for liberty in one of the most repressed nations in the Western Hemisphere.
Frydnes acknowledged that Machado’s courage under fire made her stand out:
“In the past year, Miss Machado has been forced to live in hiding. Despite serious threats against her life, she has remained in the country, a choice that has inspired millions. When authoritarians seize power, it is crucial to recognize courageous defenders of freedom who rise and resist.”
It’s worth noting that Machado, who’s already made TIME’s list of the “100 Most Influential People,” hasn’t exactly been shy about her appreciation for U.S. support — including from Trump. In past statements, she praised the president’s “commitment to freedom and democracy in Venezuela.”
