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Rome Today
By the People, for the People
Trump Jokes About Giving Himself Congressional Medal of Honor
Former president recounts 2018 Iraq visit and desire to award himself the prestigious military honor.
Published on Feb. 27, 2026
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During a rally in Georgia, former President Donald Trump joked about wanting to give himself the Congressional Medal of Honor after a 2018 visit to U.S. troops in Iraq. Trump told supporters that he felt he was "extremely brave" on the trip and wanted to award himself the prestigious military decoration, but acknowledged it would have been a "little stretch." The former president also predicted the "fake news" would have portrayed the audience booing him for the suggestion.
Why it matters
Trump's comments highlight his tendency to exaggerate his own accomplishments and military service, despite never having served in the armed forces himself. The Congressional Medal of Honor is the nation's highest military decoration, awarded for acts of valor in combat, and Trump's suggestion of giving it to himself raises questions about his respect for the honor and those who have legitimately earned it.
The details
During a rally in Rome, Georgia, former President Donald Trump recounted a 2018 surprise visit he made to U.S. troops stationed at Al Asad Airforce Base in Iraq. Trump told the audience that he felt he was "extremely brave" on the trip and wanted to award himself the Congressional Medal of Honor, the nation's highest military decoration. However, Trump acknowledged it would have been a "little stretch" for him to give himself the prestigious award, which is typically reserved for acts of valor in combat.
- Trump visited U.S. troops in Iraq in December 2018 during his first term as president.
- Nearly a year later, in November 2019, Trump visited U.S. troops in Afghanistan.
The players
Donald Trump
The former president of the United States who visited U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan during his time in office.
What they’re saying
“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.”
— Donald Trump, Former President (thehill.com)
“Someday I'm going to try. I'm going to test the law. Maybe I'll win in court after everyone sues me.”
— Donald Trump, Former President (thehill.com)
The takeaway
Trump's comments about wanting to award himself the Congressional Medal of Honor, the nation's highest military decoration, raise concerns about his respect for the honor and those who have legitimately earned it through acts of valor in combat. This episode highlights the former president's tendency to exaggerate his own accomplishments and military service, despite never having served in the armed forces himself.
