Former President Donald Trump recently stirred claiming that the Presidential Medal of Freedom he awarded to a wealthy donor is “much better” than the Medal of Honor because recipients of the top military honor are either dead or badly wounded.
At a campaign event held at his New Jersey resort, Trump praised Miriam Adelson, a prominent Republican donor and widow of casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, who was known for his significant financial contributions to Republican campaigns before his death in 2021. Trump reminisced about the ceremony where he awarded Adelson the Medal of Freedom in 2018, saying, “I watched Sheldon sitting so proud in the White House when we gave Miriam the Presidential Medal of Freedom.”
“That’s the highest award you can get as a civilian. It’s the equivalent of the Congressional Medal of Honor,” Trump continued, referring to the highest military honor bestowed for valor in combat. He stated that the civilian award was superior.
“The civilian version, it’s actually much better because everyone who gets the Congressional Medal of Honor, they’re soldiers. They’re either in very bad shape because they’ve been hit so many times by bullets or they’re dead.” In contrast, he emphasized that Adelson, who is still alive and in good health, received an award that he claimed was of equal standing.
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“She gets it, and she’s a healthy, beautiful woman, and they’re rated equal, but she got the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and she got it for — and that’s through committees and everything else,” he concluded.
The former president’s remarks come as he and his running mate, Senator JD Vance, R-Ohio, continue to scrutinize the military records of Democratic vice presidential nominee, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. Vance, a veteran himself, has criticized Walz for retiring from the National Guard before a planned deployment to Iraq, a point Walz has defended vigorously.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom, established by President John F. Kennedy in 1963, recognizes civilians for their exceptional contributions to American society, world peace, and significant public or private endeavors. Since its inception, over 600 civilians have been honored with the award.
In contrast, the Medal of Honor was first established in 1861 and has been awarded to 3,519 military personnel, including more than 1,500 during the Civil War and 472 during World War II. Currently, there are 60 living recipients. The Medal of Honor is awarded for acts of extraordinary bravery and valor in combat, with no requirement for the recipient to be injured.
The process for receiving the Medal of Honor involves detailed documentation and multiple witnesses, with final approval from the President. The citations for this honor often detail acts of heroism and sacrifice, including saving lives under extreme danger.
Watch Trump’s remarks in the clip below:
Trump insulted our veterans again.
Trump just said that Miriam Adelson receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom (for donating a lot of money to his campaign) “It's much better” than the Congressional Medal of Honor:
“Because everyone who gets the Congressional Medal of… pic.twitter.com/kShBmM4OOc
— Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) August 16, 2024
