President Donald Trump met Thursday in Washington, D.C. with Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, a prominent anti-socialist figure, to discuss the future of Venezuela following the capture of former dictator Nicolás Maduro. And yes, once again, when real change is on the table, Trump is right in the middle of it.
Machado, head of the center-right party Vente Venezuela, managed to escape Maduro’s regime in December with assistance from the Trump administration. Her goal: safely travel to Norway to receive her Nobel Peace Prize after facing serious threats from the socialist government — the kind of “tolerance” authoritarian regimes are famous for.
Trump, speaking earlier to CNN’s Kaitlan Collins during a White House meeting with oil executives, said he intended to speak with Machado, noting that she “might be involved in some aspect” of Venezuela’s future and that it was “very nice” she wanted to come in. Straightforward, measured, and refreshingly honest — qualities that seem rare these days.
After the private meeting, Machado emerged to greet supporters and reporters. Speaking in Spanish, she made her position crystal clear: “Know that we are counting on President Trump for the freedom of Venezuela.” Not exactly subtle — and for good reason.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt later confirmed that Trump’s assessment of Machado has remained consistent. While recognizing her courage and voice, Trump has been realistic about the political landscape inside Venezuela.
“I think it would be very tough for her to be the leader,” Trump said from Mar-a-Lago shortly after U.S. troops captured Maduro on January 3. “She doesn’t have the support within or the respect within the country.” That’s not an insult — that’s called acknowledging reality, something leaders are supposed to do.
Leavitt reinforced that point, explaining that Trump’s view is based on briefings from advisers and the national security team. She emphasized that the president still considers Machado “a remarkable and brave voice” and remains committed to the goal of free elections in Venezuela, even if no timeline has been set. Rome wasn’t rebuilt in a day, and neither is a country wrecked by socialism.
While Trump has not formally endorsed Machado, Senator Rick Scott of Florida is confident about her future, saying, “It’s going to happen.” He described her as a fighter admired by Venezuelans both at home and across the Americas — praise that doesn’t come easily in today’s political climate.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed the respect for Machado but emphasized the immediate challenges ahead, noting that much of the opposition is not currently inside Venezuela. In other words, serious problems first, politics later — a concept Washington is slowly relearning.
Meanwhile, Venezuela’s socialist apparatus also sent an envoy to Washington, with Ambassador Félix Plasencia arriving on behalf of Acting President Delcy Rodríguez. Trump reportedly described Rodríguez as a “terrific person” after a phone call — because engaging diplomatically from a position of strength is how adults handle foreign policy.
At the end of the day, the message is clear: Venezuela’s path forward is being shaped with realism, strength, and leadership — not empty slogans. And once again, President Trump is proving that when freedom is on the line, America leads.
