'A very nice thing to do': Trump reacts to Nobel Peace Prize announcement, praises Machado for dedicating award to him

Donald Trump

United States President Donald Trump reacted to missing out on the Nobel Peace Prize this year, saying he was “happy” despite not winning because he had “saved millions of lives.” Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office on Friday, October 10, 2025, Trump revealed that Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado -- who received the award -- personally reached out to him.

“The person who actually got the Nobel Prize called me today and said, ‘I am accepting this in honour of you because you really deserved it,’” Trump said. “A very nice thing to do.”

Machado, who dedicated her Nobel Peace Prize to “the suffering people of Venezuela and to President Trump for his decisive support of our cause,” had earlier posted her message on X. Trump remarked about her gesture, saying, “She was very nice and I have been helping her along the way.”

The US President also joked about the exchange, adding, “I did not say then give to me though,” which drew laughter from those around him.

Trump suggested that the reason he did not receive the award himself could be linked to its timeline. “It could be because the prize was for 2024, and I was running for the presidential polls during that time,” he said. “I am happy because I saved millions of lives.”

He highlighted his global diplomatic record, asserting, “I have made eight peace deals across the world, including the one between Israel and Gaza and also India and Pakistan.”

Referring specifically to the India-Pakistan conflict earlier this year, Trump said, “In the case of India and Pakistan, seven planes were shot down, it was a bad one, and I did it largely through trade.”

“I talked tariffs, I said look, if you're gonna do this, we're gonna put very big tariffs on your country and they were both great, they stopped fighting and they were two nuclear powers,” he claimed.

While Trump has often credited himself for halting the four-day military clash between India and Pakistan in May, New Delhi has consistently dismissed those claims.

As reporters wrapped up, Trump maintained a light tone about not being named the laureate, saying he felt “honoured” by Machado’s words and her “very nice” acknowledgment.