Trump has dismissed Machado as a future leader for Venezuela. The Nobel Peace Prize might have something to do with that decision.
Here’s the real reason why Trump doesn’t want Maria Corina Machado to govern Venezuela
After attacking Venezuela, Trump laid out the steps the South American country must now follow and said the U.S. would “run” the country. The plan involves Washington taking control of Venezuela for an unspecified period “until there is a safe transition” and installing new leadership with US approval. In outlining that strategy, the Republican made clear that María Corina Machado, winner of the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, is not, in his view, the right person for the role.
“It would be very tough for her to be the leader. She doesn’t have the support or the respect inside Venezuela. She’s a very good woman, but she doesn’t have the respect,” Trump said at a press conference at Mar-a-Lago, his residence in Florida, after detailing the military operation through which the United States deposed Nicolás Maduro.
His “presidency” had not been recognized by more than 30 countries following the 2024 general election, which Venezuela’s opposition and international observers denounced as fraudulent. Trump also acknowledged that he had no contact with the Nobel laureate before the strike on Caracas and said he does not know her current whereabouts.
The real reason why Trump dissed Machado
Trump is still upset that he didn’t win the Nobel Peace Prize. The FIFA Peace Prize didn’t do the job and some speculate that Trump is still angry that Machado won the prize and not him.
Insanity: Sources close to the White House told the Washington Post Trump lost interest in backing Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado to lead the country because she accepted her Nobel Peace Prize rather than demanding it be given to Trump, which was viewed as an… pic.twitter.com/FDVLJZCtJ9
— MeidasTouch (@MeidasTouch) January 5, 2026
To fill the power vacuum left by Maduro’s capture, the United States will oversee a peaceful transition of power, Trump said. “Yes, we’re coordinating it, appointing people. A lot of people. I’ll let you know who they are,” the Republican president explained.
María Corina Machado: “The time for freedom has arrived”
Shortly before Trump’s appearance, Machado had released a statement on her social media accounts. “The time has come for popular sovereignty and national sovereignty to prevail in our country. We will restore order, free political prisoners, build an exceptional country and bring our children back home,” wrote the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize winner, a former lawmaker and long-time opponent of the Chavista regime that had governed Venezuela since 1998. “It is time to enforce our mandate and take power,” she added.
After receiving the award in October, Machado dedicated her Nobel Peace Prize, among others, to the Republican in the White House. “I dedicate this prize to the long-suffering people of Venezuela and to President Donald Trump for his decisive support for our cause!”
That generous statement wasn’t enough for Trump, whose feelings were hurt for not being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Since attacking Venezuela the “Peace President” has threatened Mexico, Colombia, Greenland, Iran and Cuba.
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