Trump gets his hands on Nobel peace prize – The Latest

In this episode of The Guardian's Today in Focus, hosts Lucy Hart and Chris Michael delve into the surreal moment when Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Machado presented her Nobel Peace Prize medal to Donald Trump. The gesture has sparked controversy as the medal, awarded to Machado for her fight for democracy in Venezuela, was handed to Trump, who has long desired recognition in the form of a Nobel Peace Prize.

The discussion highlights Trump's questionable claim to peace, as he has boasted about ending wars while many conflicts in the region remain unresolved. The episode critiques the spectacle of world leaders bestowing honors upon Trump as a way of gaining favor, likening this to historical instances of ‘gold diplomacy’ where gifts are used to curry political influence.

Machado's motivations for giving Trump the medal are examined, considering her hopes for support against Nicolás Maduro’s regime. The episode also touches on the current political dynamics in Venezuela, particularly the shift of U.S. favor from Machado to Delce Rodriguez, Maduro's vice president. The episode concludes with reflections on the implications of these political interactions and the broader context of U.S.-Venezuela relations.