Former President Donald Trump praised Miriam Adelson, a wealthy Republican donor and widow of Sheldon Adelson, for receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which he described as better than the Congressional Medal of Honor because recipients of the latter are often deceased or injured. Trump awarded Adelson the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2018 for her donations to anti-addiction facilities and work as a doctor. The Medal of Freedom was established by President John F. Kennedy in 1963 to recognize civilians who have contributed to the interests of the United States, world peace, or other significant public or private endeavors.
Trump and his running mate, Sen. JD Vance, have criticized Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the Democratic vice presidential nominee, for his military record, with Vance questioning Walz’s decision to retire before his unit was set to be deployed to Iraq. Trump and Vance have sought to make reverence for military service an issue in the election, with Trump suggesting that civilians receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom, like Adelson, may be more desirable than military recipients of the Medal of Honor.
The Medal of Honor, established in 1861, is awarded to military members who distinguish themselves conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of their lives above and beyond the call of duty. Recipients must be engaged in active combat on behalf of the U.S. against a foreign foe, and their acts of valor must be documented with multiple witnesses and approved by the president. Over 3,500 individuals have received the Medal of Honor, with 60 living recipients today.
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