The White House mounted a staunch defense of Donald Trump’s peacemaking credentials on Friday after he was overlooked for the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize. The award was instead given to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, a decision that prompted a swift and assertive response from the Trump administration.
In a statement posted on the social media platform X, the White House Director of Communications wrote: “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.” This reaction underscored the administration’s frustration after a week of intensified lobbying for the prize.
The honor was bestowed upon Machado for her critical work in uniting Venezuela’s opposition and her relentless campaign for democratic rights. The Nobel committee praised her as a central figure in the peaceful struggle against dictatorship, a narrative focused on long-term, foundational change.
Speculation around Trump’s potential win had grown following his involvement in a Gaza ceasefire plan, which his supporters had hailed as a significant breakthrough. However, Nobel analysts had consistently maintained that his style of diplomacy was unlikely to win favor with a committee that traditionally values international cooperation and sustained peace-building.
The choice of Machado serves as a reminder of the committee’s focus on principles of human rights and democracy. It prioritizes the often-unseen struggles of activists over the more visible actions of world leaders, reinforcing the award’s identity as a prize for enduring moral conviction.