Trump jokes about awarding himself Medal of Honor for 2018 Iraq troop visit

President Donald Trump told a Georgia audience Thursday that he once considered awarding himself the Congressional Medal of Honor for his December 2018 surprise visit to US troops in Iraq, describing the trip as an act of bravery. Speaking in Rome, Georgia, Trump recalled: "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."

Testing the Law

"I said to my people, 'Am I allowed to give myself the Congressional Medal of Honor?'" Trump recounted. He acknowledged the honor has been given to "so many guys that are seriously brave," noting many recipients "suffered gravely" in combat. "And I said that's a little stretch if I gave myself one." He added: "It's one of those things, someday I'm going to try. I'm going to test the law. You know, I'm having fun."

The Medal's Significance

The Congressional Medal of Honor Society describes the award as "the nation's most prestigious military decoration" for US armed forces members who distinguish themselves "by acts of valor in combat." Only 3,528 of roughly 40 million Americans who have served in the military have received the honor, with 61 living recipients. Trump recently also claimed he deserved the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize for resolving "seven unendable wars."