Moment Trump is handed Nobel Peace Prize in bizarre White House exchange

Moment Trump is handed Nobel Peace Prize in bizarre White House exchange Donald Trump met Venezuelan politician Maria Corina Machado on Thursday. Donald Trump was pictured holding the Nobel Peace Prize handed to him by Venezuelan leader Maria Corina Machado, following a bizarre exchange that happened at the White House on Thursday. She said the gesture was to recognise the US president's commitment to her country's freedom after former leader Nicolás Maduro was captured in Caracas and charged in a drug-trafficking case. The photograph circulated by the White House shows Mr Trump holding the medal in a large frame. Beneath the medal, it said: "Presented as a personal symbol of gratitude on behalf of the Venezuelan people in recognition of President Trump’s principled and decisive action to secure a free Venezuela ." READ MORE: Trump makes his 'greatest' Middle East announcement READ MORE: US military heads to Middle East as Trump on verge of Iran strike Ms Machado added: "I presented the president of the United States the medal of the Nobel Peace Prize... [It's] a recognition for his unique commitment with our freedom... I think today is a historic day for us Venezuelans." She called the gift "a sign of the brotherhood" between the two countries "in their fight for freedom against tyranny". After the exchange, Mr Trump wrote on his platform Truth Social that Ms Machado " presented me with her Nobel peace prize for the work I have done. Such a wonderful gesture of mutual respect". The Venezuelan leader previously announced that she wished to "share" it with the US president during an interview with Fo News, which prompted the organisers of the Nobel Peace Prize to stress that the award cannot be "shared or transferred" . They added: "The decision is final and stands for all time." Despite this exchange, Mr Trump has refused to endorse Ms Machado for president, reportedly due to souring relations between their teams and because he doesn't believe her party could keep Venezuela secure. The White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said: "The president’s assessment was based on realities on the ground. "It was a realistic assessment based on what the president was reading and hearing from his national security team. At this moment in time his opinion on that matter has not changed."

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