Former President Donald Trump said Thursday that the highest civilian honor is better than the highest military honor because its recipients are in “very poor condition” or deceased.
He made the comments at a rally on anti-Semitism at his Bedminster, New Jersey, vacation resort, where he praised Miriam Adelson, the widow of casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, who long financed Republican political campaigns.
Trump reminded the audience how he awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Miriam Adelson in 2018, mistakenly saying it was the equivalent of the Congressional Medal of Honor.
The highest military award is simply called the Medal of Honor.
“It’s actually much better,” Trump said. “Because everybody gets the Congressional Medal of Honor, they’re soldiers. They’re either in really bad shape because they’ve been hit by so many bullets, or they’re dead.”
“She gets it,” Trump continued. “And she’s a healthy, beautiful woman.”
Former President Donald Trump said Thursday that the highest civilian honor is better than the highest military honor because its recipients are in “very poor condition” or deceased.
Trump (left) reminded the crowd how he awarded Miriam Adelson (right) the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2018, slipping up and saying it was the equivalent of the Congressional Medal of Honor
“And they are judged equally,” he said of the two awards.
The comments come after Trump and his running mate, Sen. J.D. Vance of Ohio, attempted to discredit the military service of the Democratic vice presidential nominee, Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota.
Walz retired after 24 years in the National Guard before his unit was deployed to Iraq.
Sometimes Walz failed to correct the facts when it was suggested he had served in Afghanistan.
He served in Italy in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Vance, who also served in the U.S. Army, alleges Walz is guilty of “stolen valor.”
Walz defended himself against the charges during a speech at the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees earlier this week in Los Angeles.
“I’m going to say it as clearly as I can: I’m damn proud of my service to the country,” the Minnesota governor said. “To all those brave enough to put on that uniform for our great country, including my opponent, I have a few simple words: Thank you for your service and sacrifice.”
Former President Donald Trump (right) greets Miriam Adelson (left) during an event Thursday evening in Bedminster, New Jersey
The Harris-Walz campaign on Friday slammed Trump for his comments that the civilian award would be better than the military one.
“Donald Trump knows nothing about service to anyone or anything other than himself,” spokeswoman Sarafina Chitika said. “That he would 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 the service of our country as ‘suckers’ and ‘losers,’ should serve as a reminder to all Americans that we owe it to our military, our country, and our future to ensure that Donald Trump never again serves as our nation’s commander in chief.”
Trump’s former chief of staff John Kelly confirmed that the now ex-president had called deceased veterans “suckers” in 2018.
The Atlantic reported ahead of the 2020 election that Trump had canceled his trip to the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery in France because his hair would not look good in photos due to rain.
“Why would I go to the cemetery?” Trump reportedly said. “There are only losers there.”
