The Nobel Institute gave the 2025 Peace Prize to the leader of the Venezuelan opposition party, Maria Corina Machado, for her work in the struggle for democracy in Venezuela.
That same day (October 10, 2025) Machado went on X and dedicated her prize to Donald Trump.
Note: I have no idea what Machado means by “conquer Freedom.” I would like to believe it is a translation problem and not a call to overthrow democracy.
Leader change is not regime change
Now that Trump has kidnapped and removed the President of Venezuela, Nicholas Maduro, one might think that Machado, who once tried to run for President of Venezuela, might have a role in the future of her country. Instead, Trump has said, “It’d be very tough for her to be the leader,” because she, “doesn’t have the support or the respect within the country.”
Currently, after the US action, the entire regime created by Hugo Chavez, and inherited by Nicholas Maduro, is still in power. Maduro’s vice-president, Delcy Rodriguez, is acting as president and has been recognized as such by the Venezuelan military. Trump is not likely to do anything about this.
Start a fight and then run
There are three things to remember here:
1. Trump is full of bluster, but he is a coward. He has asked US military forces to blow up defenseless boats from the sky, he has had our military commandeer unarmed oil tankers, and he has ordered the kidnapping of the Venezuelan head of state, but he has no interest in putting American troops on the ground to actually effect regime change in Venezuela. (Fortunately for us).
2. Throughout history, the United States has often supported dictators around the world. We don’t usually care how they treat their own people, or how corrupt they are, as long as they sell us their oil and other natural resources. We traditionally don’t mind dictators as long as they are “our” dictators. Trump would actually prefer to deal with Rodriguez and her authoritarian regime than facilitate a change to a legitimate (and inherently messy) democracy in Venezuela.
3. Donald Trump cannot provide political support for the popular Maria Machado, because he is jealous of her. He sincerely believes that she stole the Nobel Peace Prize from him.
It should have been mine
Despite Machado’s attempt to stroke Trump’s ego after she won, he was publically disappointed that Machado was awarded the Peace Prize instead of himself. (This is a continuation of his Obama Derangement Syndrome).
“They won’t give me a Nobel Peace Prize because they only give it to liberals.”
-Donald John Trump
Note: Machado is definitely not a liberal. Venezuelan writer Michelle Ellner has described the ultra-conservative Machado as “part of a global alliance between fascism, Zionism, and neoliberalism.”
Give me yours
Unbelievably, there is now an effort (by more than one FoxNews personality) to encourage Machado to meet with Trump and give her Nobel Peace Prize to him. This is as meaningless and stupid as if a soccer organization created a “Peace Prize” and gave it to Trump. (Oh yeah, that actually happened).
Upon hearing about this nonsense, the Nobel Institute had to issue an official statement:
“A Nobel Prize can neither be revoked nor transferred to others. Once the announcement of the laureate(s) has been made, the decision stands for all time. As for the prize money, the laureate(s) are free to dispose of it as they see fit.”
-Nobel Institute spokesperson
Of course Trump believes such a travesty would be a great thing. He said, “I’ve heard that she wants to do that. That would be a great honor.”
“I’ve stopped eight wars, and I think it’s been a major embarrassment to Norway. Now I don’t know what Norway has to do with it, but that’s where the committee is located … It’s been a very big embarrassment to the country of Norway, whether they have anything to do with it or not. I think they do; they say they don’t. But you know, when you put out eight wars, in theory, you should get one for each war.”
– Donald John Trump
The above is an exact quote from our President. Please read it again slowly. This one paragraph contains lies, misunderstandings, confusion, ignorance, accusations, insecurity, indecisiveness, and braggadocio.
This man is clearly a bumbling, narcissistic, idiot.
What does it say about the United States that we elected him President, not once, but twice?
Sources:
— “Maria Corina Machado: Facts,” The Nobel Prize (web site).
Philip Elliot, “Trump Loses Nobel Peace Prize He Shamelessly Campaigned For,” Time, October 10, 2025.
Michelle Ellner, “When Maria Corina Machado Wins the Nobel Peace Prize, “Peace” Has Lost Its Meaning,” Z, October 10, 2025.
Antonio Rando, “Maria Corina Machado: a controversial Nobel Peace Prize,” Latinoamerica21, December 17, 2025.
Adam Taylor, et al, “U.S. plan to ‘run’ Venezuela clouded in confusion,” The Washington Post, January 4, 2026. (May require login).
Margaret Hartmann, “Nobel Institute: Trump can’t just take Machado’s Peace Prize,” Intelligencer, New York magazine, January 9, 2026. Link to MSN version. Link to New York magazine version. (May require login).
Carly Simon, “You’re So Vain,” No Secrets (album), Elektra Records, November 28, 1972.
My mind reels.
Trump is preparing to invade Greenland, e.g. Denmark. This is an emergency!
Trump wants war with Europe. This is an emergency!
The late economist J K Galbraith predicted the world’s political/economic systems would achieve a uniformity. In our time this is corrupt business systems operating under autocracy. All the same – China, Russia and the United States under Trump. Trump wants to give Europe to Putin.
Why does the Deseret News not spell this out for its LDS readership. Why doesn’t the Church? I remain baffled and devastated.