The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) has strongly criticized former President Donald Trump for equating the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest award for military valor, to the Presidential Medal of Freedom, a civilian honor. The VFW’s National Commander, Al Lipphardt, issued a statement condemning Trump’s comments, calling them “asinine” and stating that they “diminish the significance of our nation’s highest award for valor.”
Trump made the comparison at his Bedminster, New Jersey club while speaking to a group that included GOP mega-donor Miriam Adelson, who received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2018. He stated that the Presidential Medal of Freedom is “the equivalent of the Congressional Medal of Honor, but a civilian version.”
This is not the first time Trump has faced criticism for his comments regarding military honors. In 2020, the VFW demanded an apology from Trump after he downplayed injuries sustained by service members from Iranian airstrikes. While Trump’s campaign has not retracted his recent remarks, senior advisor Corey Lewandowski defended them, suggesting that some civilians deserve the highest honor the country can offer.
This controversy comes at a time when Trump continues to remain in the public eye. Recently, he urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to swiftly end the Gaza war, criticizing Vice President Kamala Harris for her calls for a ceasefire. Trump’s actions have also inspired Republican representatives to propose bills honoring him, including proposals to feature his face on the $500 bill and rename an international airport after him.
This latest controversy follows a recent poll showing Harris leading Trump by four points in the 2024 presidential election, highlighting the continued interest in his political future and the ongoing scrutiny of his actions and statements.