Why didn't Trump support Machado?

US President Donald Trump did not support the candidacy of Venezuelan opposition politician Maria Corina Machado for the position of the new president of Venezuela, as she did not cede her Nobel Peace Prize to him, reports BAKU.WS with reference to The Washington Post.

"The president's lack of interest in strengthening Machado's position, despite her recent attempts to flatter Trump, was related to her decision to accept the Nobel Peace Prize - an award that the president, without hiding, craved to receive himself," the newspaper reports, citing two sources close to the White House.

According to the publication's source, "although in the end Machado declared that she dedicates the award to Trump, her very acceptance of the prize became a 'mortal sin'."

"If she had refused and said: 'I cannot accept it because it belongs to Donald Trump', she would be the president of Venezuela today," he added.

Earlier, Trump expressed the opinion that Machado would not be able to lead the country, as citizens do not support her.

"It will be difficult for her to become a leader because she has no support and respect within the country. She is a very nice woman, but she is not respected," Trump said.

In 2025, Machado received the Nobel Peace Prize "for her tireless work in promoting democratic values for the Venezuelan people and fighting for a fair and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy."