> At a Glance
> – Donald Trump says María Corina Machado will visit the U.S. next week
> – Trump claims the Nobel Peace Prize winner wants to give him her medal
> – White House and Machado’s camp have not confirmed the meeting
> – Why it matters: The visit could signal U.S. stance on Venezuela’s political future after Maduro’s removal
President Donald Trump told Fox News Thursday night that Venezuelan opposition figure María Corina Machado is headed to the United States and that he expects to meet her, even as officials from both sides remain silent on the details.
Trump’s Invitation
**Trump revealed the possible encounter during a taped interview with Sean Hannity:
> “Well, I understand she’s coming in next week sometime, and I look forward to saying hello to her.”
Neither Machado’s representative nor the White House offered immediate confirmation or logistics.
Nobel Medal Offer?
The conversation pivoted to the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize that Machado received. Trump asserted:
> “I’ve heard that she wants to do that. That’d be a great honor.”
He was responding to a question about whether he would accept the medal if Machado handed it over.
Mixed Signals on Leadership Role
Despite praise for her international profile, Trump recently told reporters:
> “It would be very tough for her to be the leader, because she doesn’t have the support within or the respect within the country.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed a pragmatic view on Sunday, calling Machado “fantastic” but noting:
> “Unfortunately, the vast majority of the opposition is no longer present inside of Venezuela. We have short-term things that have to be addressed right away.”
Timeline of Key Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Last week | Trump questions Machado’s domestic support |
| Sunday | Rubio praises but tempers leadership expectations |
| Thursday night | Trump floats visit and medal hand-off on Fox |
| Next week | Possible U.S. visit (per Trump) |
Key Takeaways
- Trump says María Corina Machado will arrive in the U.S. next week
- He anticipates a meeting and claims she wants to give him her Nobel Peace Prize medal
- White House and Machado’s team have yet to confirm any plans
- Republican lawmakers continue to push for Machado to take a leading role in Venezuela
As speculation swirls, the potential meeting could underscore Washington’s direction regarding Venezuela’s interim government under Delcy Rodríguez.
