Today in Focus Trump gets his hands on Nobel peace prize – The Latest
14 snips
Jan 16, 2026 
Chris Michael, the US breaking news editor at The Guardian, shares insights on the recent presentation of a Nobel peace prize medal by Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado to Donald Trump. He discusses the implications of this gesture, Machado's history and advocacy for democracy, and the symbolism behind leaders offering gifts to Trump. Michael delves into the aftermath of U.S. military actions in Venezuela, the rise of Delcy Rodríguez, and the complexities of Trump's foreign policy approach.
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Trump Craves Symbolic Trophies
- Donald Trump visibly relishes receiving Maria Corina Machado's Nobel medal despite it not being his award.
- Chris Michael says Trump has long desired such trophies and treats them as symbolic validation.
Prize Versus Medal Clarified
- Maria Corina Machado won the Nobel Peace Prize for defending democracy in Venezuela.
- The Nobel committee clarified the medal can be handed over physically but the prize itself cannot transfer.
Machado's Long Exile And Political Ambition
- Chris Michael outlines Machado's long struggle opposing Maduro and living in exile.
- He notes she was banned from running and believed to have been likely to win in 2024.