Veterans of Foreign Wars denounce Donald Trump's 'asinine' statement on Medal of Honor recipients

The VFW’s reaction comes after Donald Trump equated the Presidential Medal of Freedom, awarded to civilians, to the Medal of Honor
PUBLISHED AUG 17, 2024
The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) condemned Donald Trump's recent statement comparing the Medal of Honor to a presidential award for civilians (Getty Images)
The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) condemned Donald Trump's recent statement comparing the Medal of Honor to a presidential award for civilians (Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC: The national commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars condemned former president Donald Trump's recent remarks that seemed to belittle Medal of Honor recipients, according to Raw Story.

Al Lipphardt, the national commander, criticized Trump's comments in a statement that read, "On Thursday, former President Donald Trump spoke at an event where he made some flippant remarks about the Medal of Honor and the heroes who have received it.”



 

Lipphardt expressed concern about a presidential candidate who blatantly dismisses the bravery and respect symbolized by the Medal of Honor and its recipients.

"These asinine comments not only diminish the significance of our nation’s highest award for valor, but also crassly characterizes the sacrifices of those who have risked their lives above and beyond the call of duty," he added.

What did national commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars say about Trump?

"When a candidate to serve as our military's commander-in-chief so brazenly dismisses the valor and reverence symbolized by the Medal of Honor and those who have earned it, I must question whether they would discharge their responsibilities to our men and women in uniform with the seriousness and discernment necessary for such a powerful position," Lipphardt said. "It is even more disappointing when these comments come from a man who already served in this noble office and should frankly already know better."

Former president Trump, known for his controversial statements about war heroes, such as ridiculing the late Sen John McCain's torture in a POW camp and reportedly referring to Marines who died in World War I as "losers and suckers," made the distasteful remarks during an event that was held to honor Miriam Adelson, the wife of deceased GOP megadonor Sheldon Adelson.


 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by President Donald J. Trump (@realdonaldtrump)


 

“I watched Sheldon sitting so proud in the White House when we gave Miriam the Presidential Medal of Freedom. That’s the highest award you can get as a civilian, it’s the equivalent of the Congressional Medal of Honor," the 78-year-old ex-president said. "But civilian version, it’s actually much better because everyone [who] gets the Congressional Medal of Honor, they're soldiers. They’re either in very bad shape because they’ve been hit so many times by bullets or they’re dead. She gets it, and she’s a healthy, beautiful woman, and they’re rated equal, but she got the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and she got it for — and that’s through committees and everything else,” he added. 

His remarks immediately sparked outrage among many veterans, who interpreted them as disregarding the sacrifices made by war heroes.

Internet rips Donald Trump for his 'asinine' comments about Medal of Honor recipients

One X user remarked, "He is an awful person. He dodged the draft. He doesn't care about our military, our country, our constitution, our laws, our people."



 

Another user said, "What’s worse is he literally just gave the Medal of Freedom he was talking about to a woman who gave him a bunch of money. Don’t use her name in the same sentence as our heroes."



 

Another user claimed, "The head of the Veterans association was on MSNBC and he said the same thing..trump is beyond disgusting but he hasn't changed since he was 9..his death cult love him because he hates the country as they do..They are miserable because they did nothing with their rotten life and feel that everyone but themselves to blame! They are exactly like trump and he is exactly like them.. They are all sick bastards.."



 

One X user wrote, "I don't expect much less from Bone Spurs. He is an embarrassment to our country and to our military. Dreadful."



 

Another user asserted, "Trump’s comments were repugnant. He demonstrated once again that he values loyalists and donors and places minimal value on sacrifice, honor and selflessness. MOH recipients are the best of us."



 

One user tweeted, "Trump is a disgrace, disrespectful and despicable human being. Thank you VFW for your response."



 

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.

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