Special Poll
Former President Trump has once again ignited controversy with his remarks about veterans, this time by comparing a civilian award to the esteemed Medal of Honor.
During an event at his Bedminster, New Jersey property on Thursday, Trump addressed an audience gathered to discuss antisemitism. Among the attendees was GOP megadonor Miriam Adelson, to whom Trump had awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2018, the highest civilian honor in the United States.
As Trump spoke, he drew a parallel between the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Medal of Honor, saying, “That’s the highest award you can get as a civilian. It’s the equivalent of the Congressional Medal of Honor, but civilian version.” He then added, “It’s actually much better because everyone who gets the Congressional Medal of Honor, that’s soldiers, they’re either in very bad shape because they’ve been hit so many times by bullets, or they’re dead. She gets it, and she’s a healthy, beautiful woman.” His comment was met with applause from the crowd.
The clip of Trump’s remarks quickly went viral on social media, drawing sharp criticism from Democrats and veterans’ advocates. They seized the opportunity to highlight what they perceive as Trump’s pattern of disrespect toward military service members and veterans.
Harris campaign spokesperson Sarafina Chitika responded, “For him to insult Medal of Honor recipients, just as he has previously attacked Gold Star families, mocked prisoners of war, and referred to those who lost their lives in service to our country as ‘suckers’ and ‘losers,’ should remind all Americans that we owe it to our service members, our country, and our future to ensure Donald Trump is never our nation’s commander in chief again.”
Senator Mark Kelly, a former Navy captain, also weighed in, saying, “When the Medal of Honor is awarded posthumously, it’s often to Americans who have thrown themselves on grenades or braved enemy fire — heroes who have paid the ultimate price to save others.” He emphasized that Trump “has no idea how to put others before himself.”
In response, Trump’s campaign moved quickly to defend him. Senator JD Vance, Trump’s running mate, downplayed the criticism, suggesting that Trump was simply complimenting Adelson. “This is a guy who loves our veterans and who honors our veterans,” Vance said. “I don’t think him complimenting and saying a nice word about a person who received a Medal of Freedom is in any way denigrating those who receive military honors.”
The Trump campaign also took aim at Vice President Kamala Harris, accusing her of hypocrisy due to her involvement in the Biden administration’s withdrawal from Afghanistan, which resulted in the deaths of 13 American troops. Senior campaign adviser Brian Hughes asserted, “It’s outrageous that she and her failing campaign have the audacity to claim concern for service men and women when Kamala abandoned them just a few years ago.”
This isn’t the first time Trump has faced backlash for his comments about veterans. Throughout his career, he has sparked numerous controversies, from mocking the late Senator John McCain’s time as a prisoner of war to questioning the worthiness of visiting a cemetery filled with “losers.” As Trump continues to position himself as a champion of the military, his past remarks and actions remain a point of contention.