US President Donald Trump hosted Venezuelan opposition leader and 2025 Nobel Peace Prize laureate María Corina Machado at the White House on Thursday, January 15, 2026. The meeting was confirmed by White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, who stated President Trump was looking forward to a "good and positive discussion" with Machado, acknowledging her as a "remarkable and brave voice" for Venezuela. However, Leavitt also affirmed that Trump's assessment regarding Machado's lack of sufficient support to lead Venezuela remained unchanged. Trump had previously questioned Machado's credibility, stating it would be "very tough for her to be the leader" due to insufficient internal support and respect. This high-profile meeting occurred less than two weeks after US forces captured former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife in Caracas, transporting them to New York to face drug trafficking charges. Following Maduro's removal, the Trump administration has notably signaled a willingness to work with Delcy Rodríguez, Maduro's former vice president, who is now recognized as Venezuela's acting president. President Trump has even described Rodríguez as a "terrific person" and reported having a "great conversation" with her. This engagement with Rodríguez has effectively sidelined Machado, despite her long-standing role as a prominent opposition figure. Machado's visit to Washington comes after she was awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts to promote democracy in Venezuela. She publicly offered to share her Nobel Peace Prize with President Trump, citing his "historic" actions in Venezuela. However, the Norwegian Nobel Institute clarified that the prize "cannot be revoked, shared or transferred." The perception that Machado's acceptance of the prize, despite her dedication, might have negatively impacted her standing with the administration has also been reported. The future governance of Venezuela remains uncertain amidst these complex diplomatic maneuvers.