Trump labels himself ‘extremely brave’ as he recalls his 2018 visit to Iraq

ROME, GEORGIA: President Donald Trump on Thursday, Feb 19, revisited his 2018 visit to Iraq, telling workers at a steel plant that he had been “extremely brave” during the trip.

Speaking during the event, Trump mixed self-praise with humor, at one point even joking that he had briefly considered awarding himself the Congressional Medal of Honor.

Trump revisits Iraq trip and calls himself ‘extremely brave’

While addressing the crowd, Trump described how military leaders had once told him it would take years to defeat ISIS. He then pivoted to his decision to travel to Iraq during his presidency.

“So, I decided to go to Iraq, and I flew to Iraq,” Trump said. “And I was extremely brave. In fact, so brave, I wanted to give myself the Congressional Medal of Honor.”

The president said he even asked aides about the possibility. “I said to my people, ‘Am I allowed to give myself the Congressional Medal of Honor?’” he recalled.

Trump ultimately acknowledged the idea went too far, adding that he backed off after thinking it through.

Trump says Medal of Honor joke was a ‘stretch’

Continuing the story, Trump contrasted his own comments with the sacrifices of service members who have actually received the nation’s highest military honor.

“And you know, I’ve given it out to so many guys that are seriously brave,” he said. “They come in with arms missing, the legs are missing, the stories are so unbelievable. And I said, ‘No, it’s a little stretch if I gave myself one.’”

The Medal of Honor is awarded on behalf of Congress to service members who display extraordinary valor. Trump’s remarks framed his earlier comment as tongue-in-cheek.

Still, the president predicted critics would seize on the line anyway.

“So, you can’t joke,” he complained.

President touts record and takes aim at Biden administration

The Iraq anecdote came during a broader speech in which Trump praised his own tenure in office and criticized the Biden administration.

At one point, he declared, “I won affordability,” despite ongoing concerns about rising consumer prices, an issue partly tied to tariffs he imposed on goods from dozens of countries.

Trump also revisited the 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal, again blaming the Biden administration’s handling of the exit from the country.

Trump’s recent moves keep spotlight on his personal brand

Trump’s Georgia remarks also come amid a series of highly visible moves that have kept his personal branding front and center.

Just hours before his speech, the Department of Justice unfurled a large banner featuring the president’s face. A similar banner had previously appeared at the Department of Labor.

In recent months, Trump has also added his name to the Kennedy Center - now referred to as the “Trump Kennedy Center” and renamed the US Institute of Peace after himself. He has additionally moved to brand a new class of battleships with his name.

Earlier this year, Trump also accepted the Nobel Peace Prize medallion awarded to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, though the prize itself is not officially transferable.