Trump’s Medal – At the July 1 dedication of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in North Dakota, President Donald Trump joked that he wants to give himself and his sons, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, the Medal of Honor—then insisted he wasn’t serious, citing how “d
President Donald Trump leaned into history at the July 1 dedication of the new Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in North Dakota—then turned the moment into a family punchline.
Seated in the audience were his two oldest sons, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, and Trump spotted them while speaking during the event. He talked about the Medal of Honor and the father-son pairs who received the nation’s highest military decoration. referencing General Douglas MacArthur and his father. Arthur MacArthur Jr. as well as former President Theodore Roosevelt and his son. Theodore “Ted” Roosevelt III. Then he couldn’t resist expanding that tradition with a joke of his own.
“Now, as I see my two beautiful sons sitting there, I think I’m going to give one to myself, one to them and we’ll have a threesome,” the president said.
He followed the joke with an explanation for the (supposed) awards. His sons “deserve” the medal “for their genius at hunting,” Trump claimed. As for himself, he said he would get one “for taking on Russia, Russia, Russia, or something.”
Then, almost as quickly as the punchline landed, Trump stepped back from it. “No, I’m only kidding,” he said. He added that he had “seriously thought about” the remarks, while acknowledging the reaction they could provoke. “This is dangerous to say because the fake news is up there all over the place and when I joke… I learned early on. don’t be sarcastic in politics. ” he said.
Earlier. Trump reportedly made a similar joke during a private event at the library after donating President Roosevelt’s actual Medal of Honor to the institution’s collection. The medal had previously been displayed in the Roosevelt Room at the White House. At the time, he said, “There are very few people who have them. I want to give one to myself, but they tell me I’m not allowed to.”.
He continued, “My son over here, both of them, I said, ‘Fellas, I’d love to give one of them to me. What have I done, where I deserve it,’ and they couldn’t think of anything. So I’m not happy with them today.”
The Medal of Honor itself carries enormous weight. The official Medal of Honor program describes the Congressional Medal of Honor as the United States’ highest military award for valor in combat. reserved for members of the armed forces who distinguish themselves through extraordinary acts of bravery while risking their lives beyond the call of duty.
During his visit, Trump also toured exhibits at the library focused on Roosevelt’s life. Those displays included Roosevelt’s journals, a train exhibit, a campfire installation and an AI-powered replica of the former president. Speaking to the room. Trump praised Roosevelt. saying. “He was a great man. and it’s a great place.” He added that he was “getting some ideas” for his own presidential library.
Donald Trump Donald Trump Jr Eric Trump Medal of Honor Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library North Dakota July 1 Douglas MacArthur Arthur MacArthur Jr Theodore “Ted” Roosevelt III