Trump Machado White House Meeting 2026: A Nobel Prize for Venezuela's Future?

She's offering him her Nobel Prize, but Donald Trump might be more interested in the oil. Maria Corina Machado, the Venezuelan opposition leader, is set to meet the US President at the White House this Thursday, January 15, 2026. It's a high-stakes encounter that could determine who leads Venezuela after the recent ousting of Nicolás Maduro.

The Trump Machado White House Meeting 2026: Legitimacy vs. Stability

According to BBC Mundo, Machado is hoping to use this face time to convince Trump that backing Delcy Rodríguez—Maduro's former Vice President—is a mistake. While Trump previously criticized the Nobel committee for bypassing him, he's expressed that it would be an "honor" to accept Machado's offer to share her award. However, the Norwegian Nobel Institute has stated that transferring the prize isn't legally possible.

The tension lies in Trump's recent endorsement of Rodríguez to lead the interim government. Trump claimed Machado isn't "respected" enough to lead and praised Rodríguez as a "terrific person" who is willing to do what's necessary to "Make Venezuela Great Again"—specifically regarding the control of the country's massive oil reserves.

A Divided Nation Awaiting a Transition

Venezuelans are deeply divided on Trump's strategy. Some see Machado as the only leader with a coherent challenge to the regime, while others fear a backlash from pro-government 'colectivos' if she takes power. Analysts suggest that more than 80% of the population wants change, but many doubt that change will happen under Rodríguez.