Former President Donald Trump faced backlash for comparing the Presidential Medal of Freedom, awarded to Miriam Adelson, to the Medal of Honor, stating it is 'better' because the latter is awarded to soldiers, often in dire circumstances. During a speech at his golf club, Trump praised Adelson and downplayed the significance of military honors, which has drawn criticism for appearing to diminish the sacrifices of service members. GOP Senator JD Vance defended Trump's comments, arguing that they were taken out of context and that praising a friend is reasonable. Vance emphasized that Trump has a strong relationship with veterans and that both awards serve different purposes. Critics, however, maintain that Trump's remarks were disrespectful to Medal of Honor recipients and the military at large. This incident reflects ongoing tensions within the Republican Party regarding military honors and the influence of mega-donors like the Adelsons.