Archive · 19 Jan 2026
Nobel Foundation Clarifies Medal Transfer Rules
María Corina Machado, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2025, gave her medal to Donald Trump.
The Nobel Foundation said that the prize can't be given to someone else, even as a symbol.
The medal is just a symbol, but the honor stays with the original winner.
The prize money and diploma are also part of the award.
Other Nobel winners have sold or given away their medals before, but the honor stays with them.
The Nobel Foundation and the Norwegian Nobel Committee explained that the prize is tied to the person who won it, no matter what happens to the medal or money.
María Corina Machado, the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize winner, gave her medal to Donald Trump.
The Nobel Foundation stated that Nobel Prizes cannot be transferred or distributed, even symbolically.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee clarified that the prize remains linked to the original laureate, regardless of the medal's fate.
The prize includes a diploma and 11 million Swedish crowns (around $1.19 million).
Previous Nobel laureates have sold or donated their medals, but the honor remains with the original winner.
- Who
- María Corina Machado (2025 Nobel Peace Prize winner), Donald Trump, Nobel Foundation, Norwegian Nobel Committee
- What
- Machado gave her Nobel Peace Prize medal to Trump, prompting clarification from the Nobel Foundation and Norwegian Nobel Committee
- When
- Machado gave the medal on January 16, 2026; statements were released on January 17-18, 2026
- Where
- The meeting between Machado and Trump took place in the United States; statements were issued from Sweden and Norway
- Why
- Machado's action led to a clarification from the Nobel Foundation and Norwegian Nobel Committee about the non-transferable nature of Nobel Prizes
- Prize Recipient
- María Corina Machado
- Prize Type
- Nobel Peace Prize
- Prize Year
- 2025
- Prize Money
- 11 million Swedish crowns ($1.19 million)
- Recipient of Medal
- Donald Trump
- Nobel Foundation's Stance
- Prizes cannot be transferred or distributed
- Norwegian Nobel Committee's Stance
- Prize remains linked to original laureate
Sources
'Can't Even Symbolically...': 'Nobel' Message For Trump, The New 'Owner' Of Peace Prize Medal
Nobel Foundation says Peace Prize cannot be passed on after Machado gives medal to Trump
‘A prize cannot even symbolically be passed on’: Nobel Foundation after Machado presented her award to Trump
