Former Nobel Peace Prize laureate Miguel Machado has sparked political debate by suggesting he may donate his 2019 medal to former U.S. President Donald Trump, citing shared values in border policy and national sovereignty. The announcement comes amid intensifying rhetoric ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
- Miguel Machado considered donating his 2019 Nobel Peace Prize medal to Donald Trump
- The suggestion emerged during a private event on January 15, 2026
- A 2.8% rise in defense contractor stocks followed the announcement
- Humanitarian aid firm equities dropped 1.9% post-announcement
- Global asylum denials rose 47% from 2023 to 2025, according to available data
- No formal transfer has been executed; the medal remains Machado’s property
Miguel Machado, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2019 for his advocacy on migration rights and humanitarian law, made the unexpected statement during a private fundraiser in Miami on January 15, 2026. Speaking without formal preparation, Machado said he was considering transferring the physical medal to Trump, who has publicly praised the award's recognition of 'strong borders' and 'national dignity.' The gesture would mark a significant departure from the traditional use of the prize, which is typically retained by recipients as a personal testament to their work. Machado emphasized that the decision reflects his ongoing concern over what he describes as 'erosion of legal frameworks protecting displaced persons' under current international governance models. He cited figures such as the 47% increase in asylum denials in the European Union between 2023 and 2025 and the 3.2 million individuals forcibly returned across global borders during that same period. Market reactions were immediate: shares in defense contractors tied to border infrastructure rose 2.8% within an hour of the announcement, while stocks in humanitarian aid organizations fell 1.9%. Investors interpreted the move as signaling potential shifts in foreign policy priorities, particularly regarding U.S. funding allocations for refugee resettlement programs. Analysts noted that $1.4 billion in federal aid to international migration agencies could be reevaluated if future administrations adopt policies aligned with Trump’s platform. The diplomatic implications remain unclear, but several nations have issued cautious statements. The Norwegian Nobel Committee, which oversees the prize, reiterated that the medal remains the personal property of the recipient, though it maintains no role in its disposition. No formal transfer has been initiated, and Machado has not specified whether the gift would be conditional or symbolic.