President Trump "deserves the Nobel Peace Prize many times over," the White House said Sunday, after organizers of the prestigious award ruled Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado can't give her Nobel to him.
Why it matters: Machado is due to meet with Trump in Washington, D.C., this week and she had indicated she wanted to give him her Nobel after praising the U.S. raid in Caracas that captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.
- Trump had campaigned for the Nobel before it was awarded to Machado last year and told Fox News last week it "would be a great honor" to receive the prize from her.
What they're saying: "The facts are clear and well established," said the Norwegian Nobel Committee and the Norwegian Nobel Institute in a statement Friday.
- "Once a Nobel Prize is announced, it cannot be revoked, shared, or transferred to others. The decision is final and stands for all time."
- White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said in her Sunday statement Trump's "legacy is already cemented as Peacemaker-in-Chief, so it is no surprise" that he had been nominated left and right.
- "His direct involvement in major conflicts, leveraging tools from America's military might to our superior consumer market, has brought peace to decades-long wars around the world," Kelly said in her email.
- "However, as the President has said, he doesn't care about the recognition — only saving lives."
More from Axios:
- Trump to meet with Venezuelan opposition leader
- Trump awarded FIFA Peace Prize after Nobel rejection
- Trump's deep obsession: Winning the Nobel Peace Prize
- MAGA erupts after Trump doesn't win Nobel Peace Prize
Editor's note: This article has been updated with comment from White House spokesperson Anna Kelly.
