Trump Claims He Stopped 'Eight and a Quarter' Wars in 'Beyond Humiliating' Fox Sit-Down

President Donald Trump has ignited a firestorm of diplomatic criticism following a surreal prime-time interview on Fox News, where he claimed to have successfully halted 'eight and a quarter' international conflicts.

Speaking with Sean Hannity on 8 January 2026, the President appeared to reduce complex South American geopolitics to a personal transaction, suggesting that his support for Venezuelan activist Maria Corina Machado was contingent upon her handing over her Nobel Peace Prize to him.

Critics have branded the performance 'beyond humiliating' for the United States, as the administration balances the fallout from Operation Absolute Resolve—the high-stakes military raid that captured dictator Nicolas Maduro just days prior

Earlier, Machado made headlines by dedicating her prestigious peace prize to the American President. Hannity went a step further during the broadcast, claiming that Machado had personally told him she wished to hand over her Nobel Peace Prize to the President as a gesture of gratitude for his efforts to 'liberate' her country.

Machado is expected to visit Washington in the coming days, a meeting which would clarify Trump's approach and reflect on how he intends to handle Venezuelan affairs.

The Transactional Diplomacy Of Donald Trump In Venezuela

'I've heard she wants to do that,' the President remarked, appearing visibly enthused by the prospect. 'It would be a great honour. You know, I've put out eight wars. Eight and a quarter (8.25), because Thailand and Cambodia started going at it again.'

The President went on to explain his curious 'one-quarter' metric, claiming he had settled a border flare-up between the two Southeast Asian nations 'in about five hours' after fighting broke out near ancient temples earlier in the week, but only granted himself a fractional success because the peace was so recently brokered.

The reaction to these comments was almost instantaneous, as critics and diplomats scrambled to make sense of the President's self-proclaimed tally of 'eight and a quarter' wars.

The suggestion that US support for a democratic transition in South America was contingent upon receiving a physical Nobel Prize left many seasoned political analysts stunned. This is particularly notable given that the President has recently snubbed Machado in favour of acting President Delcy Rodríguez, claiming over the weekend that Machado 'doesn't have the support within Venezuela to lead'. The transactional nature of the comment seemed to reduce a complex international crisis involving millions of lives to a simple quid pro quo involving a gold medal.

On social media, the backlash was swift and unforgiving. Lawyer Aaron Parans captured the general sense of bewilderment, posting on X: 'What are we even doing here.'

The sentiment was echoed by Democratic analyst Harry Sisson, who took a more aggressive stance against the President's perceived lack of maturity. 'This is so beyond humiliating for the United States,' Sisson wrote. 'Trump won't support Machado in Venezuela unless she gives him the Nobel Peace Prize she won. HE IS A CHILD.'

Analysts Slam Donald Trump For 'Undignified' Foreign Policy Stance

The criticism didn't stop at accusations of childishness. Many argued that the rhetoric used during the Fox News interview damaged the United States' standing on the world stage. By focusing on personal accolades over the strategic importance of stabilising Venezuela—where the US has maintained a 'total and complete' oil blockade since December—the President was accused of trivialising the office he holds.

Analyst Evaristus Odinikaeze provided a particularly biting critique, suggesting the President's ego has become far too easy to manipulate. 'A US presidency so low and undignified that dog treats and baby pacifiers are enough to get his attention and ego under control,' he posted. Meanwhile, the news outlet MeidasTouch simply stated that the entire affair was 'humiliating for everyone involved.'

As the dust settles on this latest controversial broadcast, the question remains whether this was just another example of the President's unique way of speaking or a real sign of how he plans to handle foreign affairs.

What Happens Next?

The world will be watching when Machado arrives in Washington. For Trump, the meeting offers an opportunity to align himself with one of Latin America's most celebrated democratic activists. For Machado, it is a chance to push for the restoration of Venezuelan democracy — with or without a Nobel Prize as a bargaining chip.

For critics, the entire episode is a reminder that American foreign policy under Trump remains deeply personal — and occasionally surreal.