Former President Donald Trump sparked controversy on Thursday when he claimed that the Presidential Medal of Freedom awarded to Dr. Miriam Adelson, the widow of Republican mega-donor Sheldon Adelson, was "equivalent" and "better than" the Medal of Honor, the highest military award for bravery in combat. Trump's remarks, made during an event on fighting antisemitism at his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey, received immediate backlash from veterans and social media users.

Speaking from the podium adorned with American and Israeli flags, Trump praised Sheldon Adelson as "one of the greatest businessmen in the world" before turning his attention to Miriam Adelson. He compared the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor, to the Congressional Medal of Honor, emphasizing that the former is "actually much better" because recipients of the latter are often soldiers who have been wounded or killed in action.

Miriam Adelson, a physician known for her humanitarian work and donations to Jewish organizations, was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Trump in 2018. The Trump administration highlighted her efforts in combating substance abuse and her contributions to medical research. However, critics argued that comparing the medal to the Medal of Honor, which is reserved for extraordinary acts of valor in combat, was disrespectful and undermined the sacrifices made by service members.

GOP Senator JD Vance defended Trump's comments, stating that they were not meant to denigrate military honorees but rather to compliment Miriam Adelson. Nevertheless, veterans with influential social media platforms criticized the remarks, describing them as offensive and disrespectful.

This is not the first time Trump has faced criticism for disparaging remarks about military service. In 2015, he controversially questioned the heroism of the late Senator John McCain, who was a prisoner of war in Vietnam, and in 2018, he allegedly made derogatory comments about fallen service members. Trump has denied these allegations.

Critics online pointed out the substantial financial contributions made by the Adelsons to Trump's campaigns and conservative causes, contrasting them with the selfless acts of bravery performed by Medal of Honor recipients. The Adelsons donated millions of dollars to Trump's 2016 presidential campaign, his inauguration, legal funds, and various conservative groups and candidates.

The Presidential Medal of Freedom, established by President Harry S. Truman in 1945, is typically awarded to individuals who reflect a president's "political and personal interests." It has been awarded 653 times between 1963 and 2024. In contrast, the Medal of Honor, first presented in 1863, has only been bestowed upon 3,517 service members who demonstrated exceptional courage and selflessness in combat.

The controversy surrounding Trump's comments sheds light on the differing criteria and significance of the two awards. Medal of Honor recipients, many of whom risked their lives to save others or face intense enemy fire, are regarded as extraordinary heroes. While the Presidential Medal of Freedom recognizes notable achievements in various fields, it does not carry the same weight as the Medal of Honor in terms of valor and sacrifice.

As the debate over Trump's remarks continues, the Department of Defense reiterated its gratitude for the service, sacrifice, and bravery of all Medal of Honor recipients. Veterans and military advocates hope that this incident will prompt a reevaluation of Trump's attitude towards the military and those who have served.