Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado presented Trump her Nobel Peace Prize medal in White House meeting | New York Post
Category: News & Politics
Via: john-russell • 10 months ago • 4 commentsBy: Victor Nava (New York Post)
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado confirmed Thursday that she presented President Trump with her Nobel Peace Prize during a White House meeting.
"I presented the president of the United States the medal, the Nobel Peace Prize," Machado told reporters on Capitol Hill.
Machado, who won the prestigious award last October for her tireless fight to restore freedom in Venezuela and defeat the authoritarian regime of Nicolas Maduro, explained that she also had a message for Trump when she gave him the prize.
Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado holds her Nobel Peace Prize as she poses with Jrgen Watne Frydnes, Chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee. Nobel Institute/Jo Straube
"I told him this: 200 years ago, Gen. [Marquis de] Lafayette gave Simon Bolivar a medal with George Washington's face on it. Bolivar kept that medal the rest of his life," Machado said.
"It was given by Gen. Lafayette as a sign of the brotherhood between the people of the US and the people of Venezuela in their fight against tyranny. 200 years on in history, the people of Bolivar are giving back to the heir of George Washington a medal, in this case a medal of the Nobel Peace Prize," she continued.
Venezuela's "Iron Lady" added that she presented Trump with the prize "in recognition of his unique place with our freedom."
The commander-in-chief hosted Machado at the White House earlier Thursday for a private lunch.
The Venezuelan opposition leader spent about two and half hours at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
Trump, who had been openly campaigning for the award and received several nominations for it himself, told Fox News host Sean Hannity last week that it would be a "great honor" if Machado were to present him with her prize.
Machado confirmed to reporters that she presented Trump the Nobel Peace Prize during her White House visit on Thursday. REUTERS
Machado had previously expressed a willingness to give or share the award with Trump.
"I certainly would love to be able to personally tell him that we believe — the Venezuelan people, because this is a prize of the Venezuelan people — certainly want to, to give it to him and share it with him," Machado said Monday.
"What he has done is historic. It's a huge step towards a democratic transition."
Ahead of Machado's lunch with Trump, the Nobel Prize Committee declared: "A medal can change owners, but the title of a Nobel Peace Prize laureate cannot."
Trump, who expressed doubt over Machado's ability to lead Venezuela after the capture of Maduro, has backed interim president Delcy Rodriguez. He called Maduro's former vice president a "terrific person" after speaking with Rodriguez by phone on Wednesday.
The White House did not immediately respond to The Post's request for comment.
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How embarrassing for both of them.
His name will be engraved on it by tomorrow.
In spite of all of the fake and real gold glitz at the WH, there is no sense of decorum or honor.
Rember when he accepted a Purple heart from some vet?
Sad.
A politician trying to curry favour from another one, colour me not surprised