President Trump recently shared his thoughts on a meeting with Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, expressing that he was “very, very impressed” by her. This interaction took place after Machado’s visit to the White House, marking a significant moment following the ouster of Nicolás Maduro. During their conversation, Machado presented the President with her 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, an award she believes he should have received for his diplomatic achievements. Trump noted that this gesture came with a strong endorsement, as she stated, “you’ve ended eight wars, and nobody deserves this prize more than— in history— than you do.”
When asked why he would accept someone else’s Nobel Prize, Trump replied, “Well, she offered it to me. I thought it was very nice.” This acknowledgment underlined his appreciation for Machado’s support and sentiments regarding his past actions in foreign policy.
However, Trump’s comments didn’t end there. He also addressed questions about his alignment with Delcy Rodríguez, Maduro’s Vice President, over Machado. He highlighted the complexities of regime change, drawing a parallel to Iraq in 2003, when the ousting of Saddam Hussein led to significant instability. Trump cautioned against the pitfalls of firing all leaders in a new regime, stating, “If you ever remember a place called Iraq, where everybody was fired… they ended up being ISIS.”
Despite these complexities, he maintained a positive tone about his meeting with Machado, reiterating that he respects her and acknowledges the respect she has for him and the United States. He remarked, “I got to know her. I never met her before, and I was very, very impressed. She’s really, this is a fine woman.”
In this meeting, Trump showcased his admiration for Machado while navigating the intricate political landscape of Venezuela. He indicated that he would be “talking again” with her, suggesting a willingness to continue the dialogue. The meeting highlights both a recognition of Machado’s position and the strategic considerations he must address with the remnants of the Maduro regime, maintaining stability while promoting new leadership in Venezuela.
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