Dems Lash Out As President Bucks 'Obligation' To Peace

Several Democrats criticized President Donald Trump after he linked his lack of a Nobel Peace Prize to U.S. ambitions to acquire Greenland.

On Monday, the Nobel Foundation moved to clarify the rules governing the Peace Prize after a Venezuelan activist said she offered her award to Trump, an offer the president publicly acknowledged.

Trump wrote on Truth Social that he had met with María Corina Machado at the White House and accepted what he described as her Nobel Peace Prize, framing the moment as a personal gesture tied to his actions involving Venezuela.

“It was my Great Honor to meet María Corina Machado, of Venezuela, today,” Trump posted last week.

President Donald J. Trump meets with María Corina Machado of Venezuela in the Oval Office, during which she presented the President with her Nobel Peace Prize in recognition and honor.🕊️ pic.twitter.com/v7pYHjVNVO

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) January 16, 2026

“She is a wonderful woman who has been through so much. María presented me with her Nobel Peace Prize for the work I have done. Such a wonderful gesture of mutual respect.”

The Nobel Foundation responded days later with a rare public statement pointing out that Nobel Peace Prizes cannot be transferred, shared, or reassigned once awarded.

“A Nobel Peace Prize laureate receives two central symbols of the prize: a gold medal and a diploma,” the foundation stated, adding that prize money is awarded separately and does not alter the official record.

The committee stressed that regardless of what happens to the medal, diploma, or prize money, the individual originally named remains the sole laureate in history.

“Even if the medal or diploma later comes into someone else’s possession, this does not alter who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize,” the statement continued.

The foundation added that a laureate cannot share the prize or transfer it after the announcement and that Nobel Peace Prizes cannot be revoked under any circumstances.

“The decision is final and applies for all time,” the statement said.

At the same time, the Nobel Foundation noted there are no limitations on what a laureate may do with the physical symbols or prize money after receiving them.

“There are no restrictions in the statutes of the Nobel Foundation on what a laureate may do with the medal, the diploma, or the prize money,” the committee said, explaining that recipients may keep, give away, sell, or donate those items.

The committee also said it does not comment on a laureate’s later statements or decisions, describing any such actions as the personal responsibility of the individual recipient.

Machado later told Fox News that she presented the medal to Trump as a symbolic act connected to his efforts to support Venezuelans opposed to the government of Nicolás Maduro.

🚨 VENEZUELAN DICTATOR NICOLAS MADURO IN U.S. CUSTODY 🚨 Do you AGREE Trump made America STRONG again??? ➡️➡️➡️ TAKE THE FREEDOM POLL NOW and stand with President Trump!!!🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

“It was a very emotional moment,” she said. “I decided to present the Nobel Peace Prize medal on behalf of the people of Venezuela.”

The episode unfolded as Trump continued to publicly revisit his past frustrations with not receiving a Nobel Peace Prize, linking the issue to broader foreign policy disputes.

Trump has recently tied those grievances to his administration’s push to assert control over Greenland, a move he has framed as necessary for U.S. military and strategic interests.

The administration has warned of potential retaliatory tariffs against countries that resist the proposal, prompting concern among several European leaders.

Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre was among those who criticized Trump’s approach, as European governments discussed possible countermeasures tied to trade and territorial issues.

In a letter addressed to Støre, Trump referenced the Nobel Peace Prize directly, linking it to his critique of European resistance.

“Dear Jonas: Considering your Country decided not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize for having stopped 8 Wars PLUS, I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of Peace,” Trump wrote, adding that U.S. interests would now guide his actions.

Trump argued in the letter that Denmark is unable to protect Greenland from foreign powers and questioned the legitimacy of Danish ownership.

“Denmark cannot protect that land from Russia or China, and why do they have a ‘right of ownership’ anyway?” Trump wrote, asserting that NATO should take greater action in support of the United States.

“The World is not secure unless we have Complete and Total Control of Greenland. Thank you!” he added.

Støre later clarified in a statement to Bloomberg that Norway’s government does not award the Nobel Prizes and has no role in selecting recipients.

“It is an independent Nobel Committee, and not the Norwegian government, that awards the prize,” Støre said.

Amid the escalating rhetoric, Denmark increased its military presence in Greenland, citing security considerations in the Arctic region.

Danish broadcaster TV 2 reported that the Danish Armed Forces confirmed the arrival of a new contingent of troops at Greenland’s main international airport.

Maj. Gen. Søren Andersen, head of Denmark’s Arctic Command, said about 100 soldiers had already arrived in Nuuk, with additional deployments planned for other locations.

“NATO has been telling Denmark, for 20 years, that “you have to get the Russian threat away from Greenland.” Unfortunately, Denmark has been unable to do anything about it. Now it is time, and it will be done!!!” – President Donald J. Trump pic.twitter.com/ZyFh9OsNsn

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) January 19, 2026

Trump continued to criticize Denmark in a Jan. 18 Truth Social post, accusing the country of failing to address foreign threats to Greenland.

“NATO has been telling Denmark, for 20 years, that ‘you have to get the Russian threat away from Greenland,’” Trump wrote. “Now it is time, and it will be done!!!”

The developments sparked criticism from Democrats on Capitol Hill on Monday.

Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut called Trump’s letter to Støre alarming, writing on social media that it reflected deteriorating judgment.

These are the ramblings of a man who has lost touch with reality. He isn’t ok. He’s degraded significantly in the last year and he’s about to get us into a war with our allies. https://t.co/Lf2X7zgZjU

— Chris Murphy 🟧 (@ChrisMurphyCT) January 19, 2026

“These are the ramblings of a man who has lost touch with reality,” Murphy tweeted.

“He’s degraded significantly in the last year and he’s about to get us into a war with our allies.”

Sen. Ruben Gallego of Arizona also weighed in, writing that the United States was now being positioned as an adversary to allies over Trump’s “hurt” feelings.

We are now the enemy of the free world because a pathetic man got his feelings hurt. pic.twitter.com/qWBHRcLt7h

— Ruben Gallego (@RubenGallego) January 19, 2026

Republican Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska criticized Trump’s conduct as well, calling it “embarrassing” and warning of consequences if military action were pursued.