In a surprising turn of events, U.S. President Donald Trump did not secure the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, despite receiving some political endorsements. The prestigious award was instead presented to Maria Corina Machado, a prominent democracy activist from Venezuela. This announcement quickly triggered an online reaction, with social media platforms, especially X (formerly Twitter), flooded with memes and witty commentary poking fun at Trump’s ambitious claims of achieving peace and preventing global conflicts.
Trump had been vocal about his desire for the Nobel Prize, citing his administration’s efforts to prevent eight wars and broker peace agreements, including the notable Israel-Hamas deal that reportedly ended a two-year conflict in Gaza. He also claimed to have de-escalated tensions between India and Pakistan, a claim that was met with skepticism and outright denial from New Delhi. However, the Nobel Committee ultimately decided against recognizing his contributions with the Peace Prize.
Maria Corina Machado Honored
The Nobel Committee lauded Maria Corina Machado for her unwavering dedication to advancing democratic rights in Venezuela. They specifically cited her efforts in advocating for a peaceful transition from dictatorial rule to democracy.
About Maria Corina Machado
Born on October 7, 1967, Maria Corina Machado is a trained industrial engineer and a leading figure in the Vente Venezuela party. Her political journey began with co-founding Sumate, a non-governmental organization focused on promoting fair elections. Machado gained national recognition after being elected to the Venezuelan National Assembly in 2010, receiving the highest number of votes among all candidates. She served in the assembly until 2014 and has remained a key voice in Venezuela’s opposition movement.
In 2004, Machado was actively involved in a campaign for a recall referendum against then-President Hugo Chavez. Despite facing treason and conspiracy allegations related to foreign funding, she persisted in her advocacy for democratic reforms in Venezuela.
Reflecting on her commitment in a Washington Post interview, Machado once shared her motivation: “Something clicked. I had this unsettling feeling that I could not stay at home and watch the country get polarised and collapse… We had to keep the electoral process but change the course, to give Venezuelans the chance to count ourselves, to dissipate tensions before they built up. It was a choice of ballots over bullets.”