President Donald Trump announced he plans to give Ben Carson, a former rival turned member of his first administration’s cabinet, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, The Associated Press wrote. “Congratulations, Ben. He didn’t know this,” Trump said during a Saturday event at the American Cornerstone Institute, which Carson founded. “He didn’t know it. I hope he’s happy.”
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The Hill reported that Trump said Carson’s ceremony will be at the White House, but Trump did not say when.
Carson, a retired neurosurgeon, and Trump both vied for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination. After Trump won, he tapped Carson to be the secretary of Housing and Urban Development. During Trump’s 2024 campaign, Carson was even seen as one of the top picks to be Trump’s running mate, the AP noted, though the president later picked Vice President JD Vance. Instead, Carson was the campaign’s national faith chairman.
According to a government website, the Medal of Freedom “is often presented to individuals to recognize a lifetime of significant achievements in the arts, public service, science or other fields.” It is the federal government’s highest civilian honor.
Other people Trump says are getting Medal of Freedom
In September, Trump also said former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani will receive the Medal of Freedom. At a Pentagon event to commemorate 9/11, Trump said he will also give it to conservative commentator Charlie Kirk posthumously. Kirk was fatally shot and killed at an event at Utah Valley University the day before.
Carson spoke at Kirk’s memorial in Glendale, Arizona’s State Farm Stadium on Sunday, calling him a “friend and partner.”
“It’s wonderful to see so many people out here for such a sad but wonderful purpose,” Carson said, addressing the tens of thousands of people at the venue.
