‘Politics over peace’ — White House hits out as Trump fails to get Nobel prize

The White House has reacted to the Nobel committee’s decision to award María Machado, a Venezuelan democracy activist and opposition leader, this year’s peace prize.

Machado was announced winner on Friday for her “tireless work promoting democratic rights for the people of Venezuela and for her struggle to achieve a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy”.

The choice came after numerous open campaigns and nominations urging the Nobel committee to recognise US President Donald Trump’s efforts to broker peace in war-torn regions which many of his supporters had touted as deserving of the prize.

But Jørgen Frydnes, the committee’s chairman, noted that “we base our decision only on the work and the will of Alfred Nobel”.

Steven Cheung, White House director of communications, disapproved of the committee’s selection.

“President Trump will continue making peace deals, ending wars, and saving lives,” Cheung said in a statement on X.

“He has the heart of a humanitarian, and there will never be anyone like him who can move mountains with the sheer force of his will. The Nobel Committee proved they place politics over peace.”

In 2009, former US President Barack Obama won the Nobel peace prize for what the Norwegian Nobel committee called “his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples”.

In a video posted Thursday, Trump said Obama won the prize for “doing absolutely nothing but destroying our country”.

Meanwhile, global leaders and multilateral institutions have congratulated Machado for her win.

The UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) said the recognition “reflects the clear aspirations of the people of Venezuela for free and fair elections, for civil and political rights and for the rule of law”.

Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, said the prize honours Machado not only for her courage and conviction but also “every voice that refuses to be silenced”.

Johann Wadephul, German foreign minister, described Machado as “a voice for freedom worldwide”.

The 58-year-old activist who has been in hiding was emotional as she received news of her win.

“I am just one person. I certainly do not deserve this,” she said.

Machado said it would take a while to believe the news, and thanked the committee for the honour.