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Nobel Foundation Says Peace Prize Cannot Be Transferred After Machado Gives Medal to Trump

The foundation underscored that laureate status is permanent and distinct from the physical medal, which a winner may legally give away or sell.

Overview

  • On Jan. 18, the Nobel Foundation stated a prize cannot be passed on or shared, even symbolically, citing its duty to uphold Alfred Nobel’s will.
  • The Norwegian Nobel Committee had earlier clarified the Peace Prize remains inseparably linked to the named laureate, though the medal may change hands.
  • The White House posted photos of President Trump accepting María Corina Machado’s framed 2025 Peace Prize medal, with officials saying he intends to keep it.
  • Machado said she presented the medal to Trump in recognition of what she called his commitment to Venezuela’s freedom and to signal her gratitude.
  • The Nobel institutions noted there are no statutory limits on a laureate disposing of the medal, diploma, or prize money, and press reports highlighted past examples of medals being transferred without altering laureate status.