The announcement of the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize winner on October 10th sent shockwaves through political circles and social media alike. Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado was named as this year’s recipient, a decision that immediately sparked a firestorm of reactions—none louder than those from former U.S. President Donald Trump and his supporters, who had openly campaigned for the honor in the months leading up to the announcement.
Trump’s disappointment was palpable. Throughout 2025, he had repeatedly asserted his qualifications for the Nobel, claiming to have "ended eight wars" and touting his role as a global peacemaker. According to News18, Trump even pointed to his involvement in brokering a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, finalized just a day before the Nobel announcement, as evidence of his worthiness. His supporters had considered him a frontrunner for the prize, especially in light of his administration’s diplomatic efforts and high-profile interventions in international conflicts.
Yet, when the Norwegian Nobel Committee revealed that Machado would be honored for her courageous fight for democracy in Venezuela, the Trump camp was left fuming. The committee’s chairman, Jørgen Watne Frydnes, addressed the media attention surrounding Trump’s campaign, stating, “In the long history of the Nobel Peace Prize, I think this committee has seen any type of campaign, media attention… We base only our decision on the work and the will of Alfred Nobel.” He emphasized that the decision was rooted in the laureates' courage and integrity, not in external lobbying or political pressure, as reported by Salon.
Machado, for her part, responded to the honor with humility and gratitude. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), she wrote, “This recognition of the struggle of all Venezuelans is a boost to conclude our task: to conquer Freedom. We are on the threshold of victory and today, more than ever, we count on President Trump, the people of the United States, the peoples of Latin America, and the democratic nations of the world as our principal allies to achieve Freedom and democracy. I dedicate this prize to the suffering people of Venezuela and to President Trump for his decisive support of our cause!” According to Daily Mail, Trump called Machado to congratulate her after she dedicated the prize to him and Venezuela’s pro-democracy movement, responding magnanimously despite his own disappointment.
The news cycle quickly seized on the drama. On October 11th, Saturday Night Live (SNL) lampooned Trump’s Nobel snub in a skit that credited him for brokering the Gaza ceasefire but also mocked his deployment of the National Guard in Chicago. “Well, it is nice to start the update with some good news for once. There is peace in the Middle East. Uh, the only downside is there is war in Chicago,” joked host Colin Jost, before quipping, “Only Trump can Freaky Friday Chicago and Gaza.” The skit drew the ire of Trump’s MAGA base, with supporters flooding social media to call the network “disrespectful” and accusing SNL of “Trump Derangement Syndrome.” One user posted, “Shame on your network,” while another questioned, “Are SNL writers on strike? Who’s writing these lousy skits?”
Jost’s segment did offer Trump some credit: “Trump deserves credit, I have to say, for brokering the ceasefire in Gaza, but I’m slightly skeptical since Biden also negotiated a ceasefire in Gaza nine months ago.” That earlier ceasefire, brokered by former President Joe Biden in January 2025, had collapsed by March, paving the way for Trump’s renewed efforts. The new deal, finalized by Trump’s administration, saw a temporary truce begin on October 10, with the remaining 48 Israeli hostages set for release following a 72-hour deadline and approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees scheduled to be freed in Israel, according to Daily Mail.
The controversy didn’t stop at American borders. Across the globe, reactions to Trump’s snub and Machado’s victory ranged from relief to ridicule. Millions reportedly “heaved a sigh of relief” that Trump had not won, as Salon put it, while others saw Machado’s award as either a rebuke or a compromise in the face of MAGA-style politics. The Nobel committee’s decision was interpreted by some as a political maneuver, especially given the history of contentious and sometimes surprising Peace Prize recipients.
Adding a layer of international humor to the mix, Indian Congress MP Abhishek Singhvi posted a pun-laden “poor joke” on X: “In a lighter vein…with appropriate ‘poor joke PJ’ forewarning…but concededly witty…Trump: Agar mujhe Nobel Peace Prize nahi diya, toh main duniya mein tehelka macha doonga… Nobel Committee: Machado.” The joke played on Machado’s name and Trump’s threats to “create a stir” if not awarded the prize, and quickly went viral, illustrating how Trump’s Nobel ambitions had become a global meme.
Within the U.S., the debate took on partisan overtones. Senator John Barrasso criticized the Nobel Committee, referencing Barack Obama’s 2009 win: “The woke Nobel Committee gave Obama a peace prize for doing nothing. They wouldn’t know peace if it stared them in the face.” White House communications director Stephen Cheung echoed this sentiment, writing, “President Trump will continue making peace deals, ending wars, and saving lives. 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.”
Machado herself is a complex figure. As Salon noted, she has been a unifying voice for Venezuela’s pro-democracy movement, standing up against President Nicolás Maduro’s regime despite threats to her life and being forced into hiding. The committee praised her as a “key, unifying figure in a political opposition that was once deeply divided,” and lauded her courage in the face of authoritarianism. Yet her explicit alliance with Trump and her support for U.S. sanctions and potential intervention in Venezuela have made her a controversial choice among some observers, who argue that the Nobel Peace Prize has strayed from its original mission.
Despite the swirl of controversy, one thing is clear: the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize has once again ignited debate over the meaning of peace, the role of politics in international awards, and the legacy of leaders who seek global recognition. Whether viewed as a triumph for democracy, a political compromise, or a missed opportunity, the story of Trump, Machado, and the Nobel Prize is a vivid snapshot of a world wrestling with questions of justice, legitimacy, and the power of public perception.
The Nobel Peace Prize may never escape controversy, but this year’s drama has ensured it remains at the center of the world’s attention—at least for now.
