A spokesperson for U.S. President Donald Trump, Steven Cheung, has criticized the Norwegian Nobel Committee’s decision to award the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday, Cheung accused the committee of prioritizing “politics over peace,” suggesting that Trump’s efforts in global diplomacy had been overlooked.
“President Trump will continue making peace deals, ending wars, and saving lives,” Cheung wrote. “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.”
He added, “The Nobel Committee proved they place politics over peace.”
Earlier in the day, the Nobel Committee announced that the 2025 Peace Prize had been awarded to María Corina Machado for what it described as her “tireless work promoting democratic rights for the people of Venezuela.”
Machado has been one of the most vocal critics of Venezuela’s government.
Her activism has spanned over two decades, during which she has faced political persecution, bans from public office, and threats to her safety.
Despite these challenges, she has continued to advocate for free elections and human rights in her country.
The committee praised her for “inspiring courage and civic resistance in one of the most repressive political environments in Latin America,” noting that her efforts have kept hope alive among Venezuelans seeking democratic change.
This year’s decision follows growing international attention on Venezuela’s human rights situation, with several world leaders and organizations calling for reforms.
While Trump’s spokesperson expressed disapproval, the Nobel Committee has maintained that the Peace Prize recognizes individuals or organizations that make “the most significant contributions to peace efforts globally,” in accordance with Alfred Nobel’s will.
