Trump to meet with Venezuela's opposition leader after praising 'terrific' Maduro loyalist

Although The Washington Post reported that Trump was annoyed Machado won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2025 - an award he had hoped to receive and that Machado dedicated to him - the White House claimed Trump's choices were based on "realistic decisions." 

As a result, Trump has put his support behind Rodriguez who is now serving as interim president. On Wednesday, Trump shared he had a call with Rodriguez, and later described her as a "terrific" person.

"We are making tremendous progress, as we help Venezuela stabilize and recover," Trump said in a social media post Wednesday.

Rodriguez voiced similar sentiments, saying their "courteous" call "addressed a bilateral work agenda for the benefit of our peoples, as well as pending matters between our governments." 

Meanwhile, Machado has praised Trump for his role overthrowing Maduro, and told CBS News that the president and the U.S. have "done much more than anybody thought was possible."

On Thursday, the White House referred Fox News Digital to Trump's previous comments to Reuters, when asked what the president planned to discuss with Machado. 

"I think we're just going to talk," Trump told Reuters Wednesday. "And I haven't met her. She's a very ‌nice woman. ‌I think we're just going to talk basics." 

Fox News' Morgan Phillips contributed to this report.