'Machado called me, accepted Nobel prize in my honor': Trump
What's the story
United States President Donald Trump has reacted to Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado receiving the Nobel Peace Prize. Trump said to reporters, "The person who actually got the Nobel Prize called today, called me, and said, 'I'm accepting this in honour of you, because you really deserved it.'" The White House had earlier criticized the Nobel Committee's decision to award Machado instead of Trump, who had lobbied for the honor, citing his role in international peace deals.
Award controversy
White House slams Nobel Committee for choosing 'politics over peace'
The White House earlier slammed the Nobel Committee for choosing "politics over peace." White House spokesman Steven Cheung had defended Trump, saying he will keep making peace deals and has a humanitarian heart. However, Trump didn't directly criticize the committee's decision but claimed Machado might have given him the award if he had asked. "I didn't say, 'Then give it to me,'" he added, drawing chuckles from his advisers. "I think she might have. She was very nice."
Dedication and claims
Machado dedicates win to Trump
Machado expressed her desire to dedicate the win to Trump, along with the people of her country, praising his support for her cause. Her campaign manager confirmed that Trump congratulated Machado on the phone. In response to the Nobel Peace Prize announcement, Trump listed his peace efforts during his presidency this year, a recurring theme when meeting the press.
Award skepticism
Three sitting US presidents have won the Nobel Peace Prize
Despite lobbying for the award, Trump had earlier expressed skepticism about receiving it. He had said it would be a "big insult" to the United States if he didn't win. The Nobel Prize nominations were due by January 31 for this year's award. Trump returned to office on January 20 for his second term. Three sitting US presidents have won the Nobel Peace Prize: Theodore Roosevelt in 1906, Woodrow Wilson in 1919, and Barack Obama in 2009.