By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Sources reveal that Donald Trump’s relationship with Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado soured after she accepted the Nobel Peace Prize, a recognition Trump reportedly desired. Following the capture of Nicolas Maduro, Machado called for a new order and the recognition of Edmundo Gonzalez. However, the Trump administration has signaled a willingness to work with Delcy Rodriguez, who has called for cooperation with the United States. Despite this, Trump has warned Rodriguez of consequences if U.S. interests are not upheld, while the European Union has advocated for Machado and Gonzalez to lead the transition.
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So, the story goes – and it’s a story that paints a pretty clear picture of a certain former president – that Donald Trump reportedly decided to withhold support for Maria Corina Machado, a prominent Venezuelan opposition figure, because she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Apparently, in Trump’s world, that’s the “ultimate sin.” Let’s be honest, it’s not exactly a surprise, is it?
The narrative, or perhaps the perceived reality, presents Trump as someone whose ego is, to put it mildly, rather sensitive. The idea is that Machado, by receiving the Nobel Prize, inadvertently stole something that Trump desperately coveted. It’s like the playground bully refusing to share his toys because someone else got a better sticker. This, apparently, led to a kind of professional snub, a reluctance to fully back Machado’s efforts in Venezuela. Instead, this alleged snub became another example of Trump’s pettiness, and potentially, a strategic blunder.
You see, it’s not just about hurt feelings. The implication is that Trump’s actions are driven more by personal grievances than by any genuine strategic assessment of the situation in Venezuela. It’s suggested that he’d much rather be the one in charge, governing Venezuela directly, which in itself raises all sorts of other concerning questions. It’s almost as if he’s thinking, “If I can’t have the prize, then you won’t either!” This is the type of thinking that has been called a “petty narcissism”. This isn’t just about refusing to help someone; it’s about a calculated form of power play.
One can almost imagine the frustration, the internal monologue. Here’s a chance to gain influence, to shape the future of a nation, and it’s all overshadowed by a perceived slight. Machado, on the other hand, was an open supporter of Trump, and apparently hoped to win his support. Ironically, it seems the Nobel Prize itself, the very thing that ostensibly offended Trump, may have inadvertently made Machado less appealing. It seems that she thanked Trump for the prize, but still faced being tossed aside.
The argument continues that Trump wasn’t interested in supporting a democratic leader, even if that leader aligned with his views. Instead, he might prefer to work behind the scenes, potentially extracting resources from the current government, or cutting deals with other actors, even potentially Putin. The suggestion is that Trump isn’t driven by ideology or principle, but by the pursuit of personal gain and the desire to be in control.
In this context, the Nobel Prize becomes a symbol of everything that Trump believes he is entitled to but can’t obtain. It’s a reminder of a recognition he desperately craves, one that he views as rightfully his. And anyone who gets in the way of that, anyone who “steals” it from him, becomes an enemy.
This perspective reveals a willingness to prioritize personal gratification over strategic goals. Rather than see Machado as a potential ally, someone who could help achieve his objectives in Venezuela, Trump may have seen her as a competitor, an impediment to his own ambitions. It’s a tragic illustration of how ego can cloud judgment and lead to decisions that are ultimately self-defeating.
So, the story of Trump and Machado, as it’s presented, is a cautionary tale. A story of how personal slights, perceived injustices, and the relentless pursuit of self-aggrandizement can undermine even the most powerful of people. It’s a story that, if true, illustrates how the “ultimate sin” in Trump’s world is not doing something illegal, but merely winning when he feels he should have. It appears that it’s all about ego, and in the end, that’s all that matters.