Donald Trump’s pursuit of the Nobel Peace Prize has ended in disappointment as Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado was awarded the prestigious honour for 2025. The Norwegian Nobel Committee recognised Machado for her relentless efforts in promoting democratic rights in Venezuela and striving for a peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy. This announcement sparked a flurry of reactions on social media, with many users expressing relief and mockery towards Trump, who has openly sought the prize.

One user encapsulated the sentiment by stating, "The fact Donald Trump very publicly wanted the Nobel Peace Prize and didn’t get it is enough to make today a good day." Others joined in the jest, sharing memes that parodied Trump’s typical online outrage, with one post reading, "NOBODY ENDED MORE WARS THAN ME. STILL NO NOBEL PRIZE! TOTALLY RIGGED. VERY SAD!"

Supporters of Machado celebrated her win, with comments like, "Hallelujah, it’s NOT Donald Trump," contrasting her fight against dictators with Trump’s perceived praise for them. However, some of Trump’s supporters questioned the committee's decision, drawing comparisons to Barack Obama’s 2009 Nobel win. Journalist Brian McDonald remarked, "Say what you will about Trump, but compared with Obama’s pre-emptive Nobel, he at least has a couple of actual peace processes on his CV."

In response to Trump’s loss, a White House spokesperson claimed that the Nobel Committee prioritised politics over peace. White House Communications Director Steven Cheung stated, "The Nobel Committee proved they place politics over peace," asserting that Trump would continue to pursue peace deals and humanitarian efforts.

The award to Machado has been interpreted by some as a symbolic snub to Trump, highlighting the contrast between her democratic activism and his controversial actions during his presidency. The Nobel Committee’s choice has sparked discussions about the nature of peace and the criteria for such prestigious recognitions, with many netizens enjoying the irony of the situation.