'Actually, I'm not kidding': Trump admits what he wants for himself at Medal of Honor Museum

ARLINGTON, TEXAS: President Donald Trump said he would give himself the Congressional Medal of Honor during a museum speech, then said he was serious about wanting it.

The award recognizes extraordinary military bravery, and Trump contrasted it with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which he described as the civilian version.

Trump made the remarks on Thursday, September 10, while visiting the National Medal of Honor Museum in Arlington, Texas, where he toured the facility and met military recipients.

Trump doubles down on Medal of Honor remark

Trump first framed the comment as a joke, telling the audience that he wanted the highest military honor for himself but could not award it to himself.

“The thing I really want is I want for myself a Congressional Medal of Honor, and I've studied it, and I will give it to myself,” Trump said. “I have no problem, but I'm not allowed to.”

He then addressed the possibility that his remarks would be taken literally, jokingly saying, “Actually, I'm not kidding. I would like to.”

Trump added that he could think of no other honor he wanted more, while acknowledging that he was not permitted to give himself the award. He also joked that his addition would have brought the number of living recipients present from 15 to 16.

The president said he expected the remarks to be reported as a serious statement despite his earlier framing, saying, “I'm only kidding.” 

He then explained why he thought the comment would be treated differently: “One thing in the world of politics, you can't be sarcastic, you can't have any fun.”

President Trump contrasts military and civilian honors

Trump said he sees a clear distinction between the Congressional Medal of Honor and the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which he called the “civilian version.”

He praised the military recipients in the room and said the Medal of Honor was different because many recipients endured combat trauma or died in battle.

“When I see the recipients of the Congressional Medal, those that are living; many are dead,” Trump said. “They died, and they died in battle.”

Trump said the bravery of the recipients was difficult to compare with civilian accomplishments because Medal of Honor recipients faced physical danger and trauma.

“The level of bravery is incredible,” he said, before describing the courage of those honored at the museum as an inspiration.

The museum had 15 of the 65 living Congressional Medal of Honor recipients at the event, according to Trump, who also noted that the facility had welcomed more than 100,000 visitors since opening last year.

Trump praises museum and Medal of Honor recipients

Trump described the museum as an American treasure and praised the people it honors as “the best and bravest warriors of our country.”

He said the museum had already gained a reputation around the world and called it “the best new, most beautiful new museum built in this country in many, many years.”

Trump also tied the museum's mission to the 250th anniversary of the nation's founding, saying the country had endured two and a half centuries because of “courageous patriots like those honored at this museum.”

The president said he would soon sign the Herschel Woody Williams National Medal of Honor Monument Location Act, which he said would authorize the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation to establish a new monument in Washington, DC.