For months, Donald Trump confidently predicted he’d win the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, claiming his diplomatic triumphs made him the most deserving candidate. From peace talks in the Middle East to boasts of “ending six wars,” the former U.S. president repeatedly positioned himself as a global peacemaker. Many of his supporters—and even some betting markets—had him listed as the favorite.

But when the Norwegian Nobel Committee revealed the winner, it wasn’t Trump’s name they called. Instead, María Corina Machado, the Venezuelan opposition leader, received the honor for her “tireless work promoting democratic rights and a peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy.”

Machado’s fearless fight against Nicolás Maduro’s authoritarian regime—despite bans, threats, and persecution—has made her a symbol of hope for millions. Her win drew widespread praise from human rights advocates and renewed global attention on Venezuela’s struggle for freedom.

Meanwhile, Trump responded by touting his latest peace proposal for Israel and Hamas, calling it “historic,” though experts warn the conflict remains unresolved.

In the end, the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize underscores a striking contrast: Machado’s courage in pursuit of democracy versus Trump’s self-declared legacy of diplomacy.