Venezuela's Opposition Leader Returns Trump's Nobel Peace Prize, Expressing Gratitude.
In a surprise move, María Corina Machado, the Venezuelan opposition leader who had accepted President Donald Trump's Nobel Peace Prize in a ceremony held just two days ago, returned it to him on Friday. "I'm absolutely grateful," she said, explaining that she regretted not speaking out sooner about her decision to hand over the medal.
Machado stated that she now understands the impact of her actions and acknowledged making a critical mistake by giving Trump the prestigious award. Despite this, she emphasized that her gratitude for Trump is genuine, saying that it's because he was "very gracious" when she handed him the prize.
In a surprise move, María Corina Machado, the Venezuelan opposition leader who had accepted President Donald Trump's Nobel Peace Prize in a ceremony held just two days ago, returned it to him on Friday. "I'm absolutely grateful," she said, explaining that she regretted not speaking out sooner about her decision to hand over the medal.
Machado stated that she now understands the impact of her actions and acknowledged making a critical mistake by giving Trump the prestigious award. Despite this, she emphasized that her gratitude for Trump is genuine, saying that it's because he was "very gracious" when she handed him the prize.
. What changed? Was Trump being all nice and stuff while holding it or something? 
It's not like Machado was forced to take it back... she just decided it wasn't worth keeping now. I'm not buying the "gratitude" story, sounds like an excuse to me 
. Why did she accept it in the first place if she didn't want it? And what's with this whole "very gracious" thing? Is that supposed to be some kind of medal-worthiness factor? 
It just doesn't add up...
. still gotta respect her for owning up to the whole thing tho 
. and honestly, if trump was "very gracious" when she handed him the prize, that says a lot about machado herself... either way, glad we get some clarity on this one 
thinkin bout how much that guy did damage to usa and world politics with that peace prize he didnt even deserve it but machado returns it to trump? what about all the venezuelans who suffered cuz of his policies? i get that she regrets speakin out sooner but dont get her all emotional and sentimental now 
what about empathy? what about thinkin about others before yerself? anyway back to machado and hes all grateful to trump for bein gracious during ceremony 
. You'd think she'd learn to read the room a bit better before making a big move like this. Still, gotta respect her for owning up to it and expressing gratitude... just maybe next time she'll take a step back and consider the bigger picture 
Anyway, just thinking about how medals can change hands like they're trading cards 
is kinda wild.
... I mean, I get why she'd want to return it now, after some people got pretty upset about her taking it in the first place