OSLO, Oct 10 (Reuters) – Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado won the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday for promoting democratic rights in her country and her struggle to achieve a transition to democracy, the Norwegian Nobel Committee said.
Machado, a 58-year-old industrial engineer who lives in hiding, was blocked in 2024 by Venezuela’s courts from running for president and thus challenging President Nicolas Maduro, who has been in power since 2013.
“When authoritarians seize power, it is crucial to recognise courageous defenders of freedom who rise and resist,” it said in its citation.
The lead-up to this year’s award had been dominated by President Donald Trump’s repeated public statements that he deserved to win the Nobel Peace Prize.
The committee took its final decision before a ceasefire and hostage deal under the first phase of Trump’s initiative to end the war in Gaza was announced on Wednesday.
Ahead of the Nobel announcement, experts on the award had also said Trump was very unlikely to win as his policies were seen as dismantling the international world order the Nobel committee cherishes.
The Nobel Peace Prize, worth 11 million Swedish crowns, or about $1.2 million, is due to be presented in Oslo on December 10, the anniversary of the death of Swedish industrialist Alfred Nobel, who founded the awards in his 1895 will.
New York City — Former Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly has once again ignited a political firestorm — this time claiming she’s uncovered a shocking revelation about former First Lady
The controversy began during Kelly’s podcast, The Megyn Kelly Show, when she hinted at “newly surfaced evidence” connected to the Obamas’ post-White House ventures. Without disclosing specific details, Kelly described the finding as “something that changes how people see their entire public image.”
“This isn’t just gossip,” Kelly teased during her broadcast. “This is documentation — real, verifiable, and it connects dots the mainstream media has completely ignored. Michelle’s reaction says it all.”
According to Kelly, the revelation came from a series of financial records tied to an unnamed non-profit foundation allegedly associated with one of the Obamas’ post-presidency initiatives. She claimed that inconsistencies in funding sources raised questions about “how influence and philanthropy intersected” during their transition out of the White House.
Moments after the episode aired, social media exploded. Clips of Kelly’s statements went viral across X (formerly Twitter), with hashtags #MegynCatchesHer, #ObamaFiles, and #MichelleDidntExpectThis trending within hours. Conservative commentators praised Kelly for “having the courage to dig where others wouldn’t,” while liberal analysts accused her of pushing speculation without evidence.
But what truly captured attention was Kelly’s reaction on camera after making the claim. Viewers noted she appeared almost gleeful, raising a glass of champagne and saying, “Cheers to the truth finally coming out.” The moment — instantly dubbed “Megyn’s Celebration” — became a meme sensation overnight.
Political insiders, however, urged caution. One former Obama staffer dismissed the story as “manufactured outrage.” “The Obamas have been transparent about their foundations and finances,” the source said. “Kelly is trying to spin ordinary paperwork into a scandal because she knows it gets clicks.”
Despite criticism, Kelly doubled down the following day, suggesting more details were forthcoming. “People laughed when I said there were unanswered questions about the Obamas’ legacy,” she said. “They won’t be laughing next week.”
Meanwhile, Michelle Obama’s representatives issued a short response, calling Kelly’s claims “baseless and beneath serious journalism.” The former First Lady has not publicly commented, but insiders say she finds the rumor “ridiculous and unworthy of a response.”
Still, the internet continues to buzz. Conspiracy channels dissect every word of Kelly’s broadcast, while mainstream outlets debate whether her story is political theater or genuine investigative journalism.
Whether this “discovery” turns out to be groundbreaking or simply another viral distraction, one thing is certain: Megyn Kelly has once again positioned herself at the center of America’s cultural and political crossfire — and the Obamas, whether they respond or not, are once again the focus of a national frenzy.