Under the spotlight of the Nobel Peace Prize, the person who did not win became the center of attention. This time, it was not because of his reckless remarks, but because of a "friend" from Moscow—Vladimir Putin.

After Maria Corina Machado, the leader of the Venezuelan opposition, was announced as the winner of the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, Russian President Vladimir Putin suddenly made a remark that was quite significant, praising U.S. President Trump.

"He is too excellent to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize," Putin's words carried a familiar sense of sarcasm and seemed like a commentary on a political farce.

A Misplaced Ceremony

Machado's award sparked applause in the international community and immediately cooled the atmosphere in the White House. This woman, who has long opposed the authoritarian regime in Venezuela, was called by the Nobel Committee "a symbol of the struggle for peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy."

However, Trump apparently thought he was the one chosen this year. In recent months, he almost campaigned for his own award: publicly claiming that "many people" had nominated him, repeatedly emphasizing his "historic achievements" in the Gaza peace talks, and even hinting that it would be "the best gift before his return to the White House."

His proposed "Gaza Peace Twenty-Point Plan" did briefly bring a cooling trend to the Middle East conflict. Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire and the release of hostages, leading international public opinion to believe that Trump was walking the path of a "peacemaker."

But the Nobel Committee ultimately chose another path. The prize was awarded to a "freedom fighter" from Venezuela, not an American political strongman.

Putin's "Cold Affection"

As the world waited for Trump to erupt in anger, Putin suddenly entered the public sphere.

This Russian president, known for his "precise rhetoric," said, "I don't know if the current U.S. president deserves the Nobel Peace Prize, but he has indeed made great efforts to resolve long-standing complex crises." "In particular, if Donald really achieves everything he seeks, it would be a historic achievement."

These words sounded like praise, but they carried a subtle edge. On one hand, Putin acknowledged Trump's efforts in the "Gaza peace"; on the other, he hinted at "whether the award matches such achievements"—implying perhaps it's not that Trump isn't qualified, but that the Nobel Prize isn't worthy.

This is Putin's usual political rhetoric: lifting the opponent from the position of a loser, then offering a "consolatory negation" at a higher level. For Trump, such words precisely hit his most vulnerable spot—he craves being seen as a great "architect," yet cannot accept someone else judging greatness.

Trump's Reaction: Gratitude and Hidden Anger

Several hours later, Trump posted on his "Truth Social": "Thank you, Vladimir. That's a true statement from a great leader." He also attached a video of Putin's speech.

But behind this "thank-you post," there was his uncontainable disappointment. That same day, the White House communications director sarcastically posted on social media: "The Nobel Committee once again puts politics above peace." And Trump's Venezuela envoy, Richard Grenell, bluntly stated: "The Nobel Prize is already dead."

These reactions were the externalization of Trump's emotions. He superficially accepted "the comfort of a friend," but privately viewed the loss of the award as a political insult.

"The Real Winner Called Me"

In his public speech that evening, Trump mentioned the details of his call with Machado. "The person who truly won the Nobel Prize today called me and said—'I accept this award to honor you.'"

This sentence sounds casual, but it reflects his typical psychological compensation logic: redefining "victory" in the face of loss.

Trump even joked: "I didn't say 'just give it to me,' although she might have said that." After the comment, he added, "I've been helping her; Venezuela needs a lot of help. It's one of the things I've done correctly."

In this string of words, there was a touch of sincerity and a sense of frustration. He hoped the public would remember that even if the Nobel Prize was given to the wrong person, peace was still "his work."

The Politicized Peace Prize

In fact, Trump was not the first U.S. president to feel bitter about the Nobel Prize. Obama received the award within less than a year of taking office in 2009, and Trump openly questioned, "What has he done?" Fifteen years later, it was his turn to miss the award, completing a cycle of ironic fate.

The Nobel Prize used to represent moral authority and universal values, but it has now inevitably become politicized. When the award falls into the vortex of geopolitical rivalry, it is no longer just an acknowledgment of "peace," but part of the power narrative.

Putin knows this well. His words are both a "comfort" to Trump and a subtle satire of the Western system. To the Russian leader, this was a "verbal diplomatic victory"—winning Trump's favor and international topic dominance without any action.

Loneliness Behind the Loss

On a deeper level, Trump's loss was not just about the Nobel Prize. It was an anxiety of losing "global recognition."

He thought he could reshape America's image through diplomatic success, only to find that Western institutions still refused to accept him.

He wanted to enter history as a "peacemaker," but was blocked by political reality. Putin's few words gave him a temporary psychological support. But that illusion of being understood was just another political calculation.

A Victory Without a Trophy

When the dust settled, the Nobel Prize went to the fighter Machado, not the political strongman Trump. But in this battle of public opinion, the real winner may have been Putin—using a few words to achieve two effects: pleasing Trump and weakening the credibility of the Western award.

And Trump, as usual, rebranded "loss" into a "victory story." In his logic, "If peace is actually achieved, then it has already surpassed the award."

Yet, this time, there was no applause or medal. Only a video played repeatedly on social media and a self-consoling thank you. In the political stage, some win awards, while others win narratives. And clearly, Trump cares more about the latter.

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7560060243439403535/

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