Trump calls Medal of Freedom 'much better' than Medal of Honor, disparaging recipients

Speaking at his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey on August 15, 2024, Trump said the Presidential Medal of Freedom -- which he had awarded to Republican megadonor Miriam Adelson -- was "actually much better" than the Congressional Medal of Honor, saying Medal of Honor recipients "are either in very bad shape because they've been hit so many times by bullets, or they're dead." Veterans of Foreign Wars National Commander Al Lipphardt called the remarks "asinine" and said they "diminish the significance of our nation's highest award for valor." The advocacy group VoteVets said Trump "hates Veterans and their sacrifice, because he looks so small in comparison to them." Trump campaign spokesperson Brian Hughes said the comments reflected the "emotionally difficult experience" of presenting the medal to wounded or fallen service members, not an intent to disparage recipients.

“That's the highest award you can get as a civilian. It's the equivalent of the Congressional Medal of Honor, but civilian version, it's actually much better, because everyone gets the Congressional Medal of Honor, they're soldiers.” Quote verified against source