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Donald Trump's comments on the Medal of Freedom are met with criticism

Republican presidential candidate Donald faced criticism after comparing the Presidential Medal of Freedom with the Medal of Honor at an event in New Jersey to combat anti-Semitism on Friday.

Trump described the moment when Miriam Adelson, who introduced him at the event, received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2018.

“I saw how proud Sheldon sat in the White House when we awarded Miriam the Presidential Medal of Freedom,” he said, adding, “It's the highest honor a civilian can receive.”

“It is the equivalent of the Congressional Medal of Honor, but in a civilian version,” Trump noted.

Trump continued: “It's actually much better because everyone gets the Congressional Medal of Honor. The soldiers are either in very bad shape because they've been hit by bullets so many times, or they're dead.”

U.S. President Donald Trump awards Miriam Adelson, wife of Las Vegas Sands Corporation CEO Sheldon Adelson and Republican donor, the 2018 Presidential Medal of Freedom in the East Room of the White House in Washington. November 16, 2018. (Source: REUTERS/LEAH MILLIS)

“She [Miriam Adelson] understands it, and she's a healthy, beautiful woman, and they're judged equally,” Trump added.

Comment triggers backlash

Many criticized the Republican presidential candidate for his comments and social media users published posts expressing their displeasure.

The nonprofit veterans organization Veterans of Foreign Wars released a statement saying, “These inane comments not only diminish the significance of our nation's highest award for valor, but also starkly portray the sacrifices of those who risked their lives above and beyond the call of duty.”

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Trump's campaign spokesman Brian Hughes was quoted in the media after the incident as saying: “President Trump simply wanted to express that it can be an emotionally difficult experience to award the Congressional Medal of Honor to veterans who have been wounded or tragically killed defending our country, just as he proudly did when he was commander in chief of the military.”

The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian award in the United States, while the Medal of Honor is the highest award for military merit.



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