Donald Trump met with dozens of Purple Heart recipients at the White House. These are people who were wounded in war. But somehow, Trump brought up himself.
He brought up the shooting at his rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. He named three veterans—Gerald Enter Jr., John Ford, and Thomas—who gave him their Purple Hearts after the attack. He thanked them, then added, “It wasn’t that easy for me either.”
That line landed awkwardly. The people in front of him had survived bombs, bullets, and combat injuries. Trump had a graze on his ear. Comparing the two didn’t sit well with many watching.
This isn’t new for Trump. In 2016, a veteran handed him a Purple Heart at a campaign rally. Trump smiled and said, “This was much easier.” It happened again last year, when a Vietnam vet gave him another medal during a town hall.
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He never served in the military. During the Vietnam War, he got out of the draft with a bone spur diagnosis. Yet over the years, he’s ended up holding medals meant for those who truly sacrificed.
The Butler shooting was deadly. A firefighter named Corey Comperatore was killed while sitting just behind Trump. It was a shocking and painful day. Trump was lucky to survive. But in the months since, that story has become something else—a way for him to receive more honors.
Recently, he’s also been given other awards that have nothing to do with him. At an Olympic event, he was handed a full set of official medals. He didn’t win them. He didn’t compete. But he smiled for the cameras.
Then came a soccer trophy. FIFA president Gianni Infantino gave him the Club World Cup and a medal. Chelsea had just won the final against Paris Saint-Germain. Trump had no role in it—but still joined the players and stood in the middle of their celebration photo.
This is what keeps happening. Trump takes the spotlight. He brings up his own story, his own pain, and makes it part of the event.
Featured image via Screengrab
