Trump Humorously Considers Self-Awarding Congressional Medal of Honor
Former President Donald Trump, known for presenting numerous medals during his tenure, sparked laughter and headlines with a lighthearted remark about potentially awarding himself the nation's highest military honor. Speaking at a rally focused on economic issues in Rome, Georgia, Trump recounted his 2018 surprise trip to Iraq and playfully floated the idea of granting himself the Congressional Medal of Honor.
A Joke Born from Bravery
"I decided to go to Iraq. I was extremely brave. So brave in fact that I wanted to give myself the Congressional Medal of Honor," Trump told the enthusiastic crowd of supporters. He elaborated on the thought process, mentioning that he inquired with his team about the legality of such a self-award.
"I said to my people, am I allowed to give myself the Congressional Medal of Honor? And you know, I've given out so many to guys that are seriously brave. I mean, they come in and their arms are missing, their legs are missing. Their stories are so unbelievable. And I said that's a little stretch if I gave myself one," he continued, acknowledging the stark contrast between his visit and the heroic acts typically recognized by the medal.
Context of Presidential Visits to War Zones
The backdrop to Trump's jest was his surprise visit with First Lady Melania Trump to U.S. troops stationed at Al Asad Airforce Base in Iraq on December 26, 2018, during his first term. This trip was followed nearly a year later by a visit to American forces in Afghanistan, placing Trump among former Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush, who also made wartime visits to both countries.
These visits occurred as the United States engaged in prolonged and devastating conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, wars that spanned most of two decades. While the U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan was completed in 2022 under President Joe Biden, American forces continue to maintain operational bases in Iraq to this day.
Legal Reality Versus Humorous Hypothetical
Despite Trump's playful musing, the legal framework is clear: a U.S. president cannot award themselves the Congressional Medal of Honor. By strict federal law, this prestigious award is reserved exclusively for military service members who demonstrate extreme valor in combat, specifically actions that involve risking one's life "above and beyond the call of duty."
Trump humorously hinted at challenging this law, stating, "Someday I'm going to try. I'm going to test the law. Maybe I'll win in court after everyone sues me." He also predicted media reaction, joking, "The fake news will say 'Donald Trump wants to give himself the Congressional Medal of Honor but he was rebuffed by the audience who stood up and booed the hell out of him.' They say that kind of stuff. It's amazing."
However, the criteria for the medal require specific military bravery in combat situations, which Trump does not meet, making any such self-award legally impossible regardless of hypothetical court tests. His comments served as a humorous aside in a rally otherwise focused on economic policies, highlighting his characteristic blend of boastfulness and self-awareness in front of a supportive audience.
