Trump Says Highest Civilian Award Is Better than Military Equivalent Because Its Recipients Aren’t in ‘Bad Shape’

Mar. 15, 2025

Photo:Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg via Getty

Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg via Getty

“I watched [Adelson’s late husband] sitting so proud in the White House when we gave Miriam the Presidential Medal of Freedom," Trump said as he took the stage after the introduction, per the outlets. “That’s the highest award you can get as a civilian.”

He went on to say that the award he gave Adelson was the civilian “equivalent” of the Medal of Honor — the highest military award given to soldiers and armed forces who show valor in combat — and added that he believed obtaining the Medal of Freedom was “much better.”

“She gets it, and she’s a healthy, beautiful woman,” he added, referring to Adelson. “And they’re rated equal."

Adelson, the fifth-richest woman in America and a major Republican Party donor, obtained the esteemed award from Trump in 2018 for her financial support of Israeli and Jewish causes.

Donald Trump speaks at a campaign event in Asheville, N.C., on Aug. 14, 2024.Grant Baldwin/Getty

Grant Baldwin/Getty

Vice PresidentKamala Harris' presidential campaign responded to Trump’s remarks about the Medal of Honor on social media, writing in astatement on Xthat Trump “knows nothing about service to anyone or anything but himself.”

The statement added, “For him to insult Medal of Honor recipients, just as he 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 county, and our future to make sure Donald Trump is never our nation’s commander in chief again.”

The campaign was referencing a 2020report inThe Atlantic, which cited multiple sources who alleged that Trump referred to fallen American service members as “losers” and “suckers.” Trump has denied those claims.

Trump campaign spokesperson Brian Hughes attempted to clarify the former president’s latest remarks in a statement to ABC News.

“President Trump was simply saying how it can be an emotionally difficult experience to give the Congressional Medal of Honor to veterans who have been wounded or tragically killed defending our country, as he proudly did when he was Commander in Chief,” he said.

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Trump and his running mate, Ohio Sen.J.D. Vance, have previously criticized Harris' vice presidential pick, Minnesota Gov.Tim Walz, for his service record and the timing of his retirement after more than 20 years in the armed forces.

Walzdefended his military serviceduring a speech, in which he said he was “proud to have served my country.” The governor added, “You should never denigrate another person’s service record. To anyone brave enough to put on that uniform for our great country, including my opponent [Vance]. I just have a few simple words: Thank you for your service and sacrifice.”

source: people.com