"'I was given the biggest award by the Marines': Trump overplays his military credentials with claim of 'distinguished award'"

2015-08-21T10:00:16-04:00

From: Daily Mail

Donald Trump overstated his military credentials during a televised interview on Wednesday, claiming that an award he received from a military and law-enforcement scholarship charity came from the U.S. Marine Corps itself.

'I was given the biggest award by the Marines the other day, one of the biggest civilian awards by the Marines the other day,' Trump told CNN's Chris Cuomo during a taped sit-down at Trump Tower in New York City that aired Wednesday night.

'I was with all of the Marines, I was with the new head of the joint chiefs of staff, he's a very impressive guy, at the Waldorf Astoria the other night. I was given one of the most distinguished awards, which was a great honor for me.'

Asked if the Marines respect him, Trump replied: 'Well, I got the award from them. And they presented it to me, so I think they do.'

Although Marine Commandant General Joseph Dunford presented the award to Trump during an April 22 gala, the honor came from the charitable Marine Corps-Law Enforcement Foundation – not from the U.S. Marine Corps itself.
That organization, which is not legally affiliated with the American military, gives $30,000 scholarships to children of every Marine and federal law enforcement officer who is killed in the line of duty.

Trump pledged to donate $100,000 to the MC-LEF when he picked up his Commandant's Leadership Award at its annual gala, according to theNew York Post.

Since it was founded 20 years ago, it has handed out more than $64 million in such scholarship awards 'and other humanitarian assistance,' its website says, 'and has supported over 3,500 children.'

Dunford, who was pictured with Trump in publicity photos from the April gala, will be the next Joint Chiefs chairman when Army Gen. Martin Dempsey retires next month.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3204270/Trump-overplays-military-credentials-claim-award-Marines-Marines-charity-honored-six-figure-donation.html

Trump overplays military credentials, claims he got award from Marines

Trump said during a CNN interview that he was given 'one of the biggest civilian awards by the Marines,' but the honor came from a scholarship organization to which he pledged $100,000/

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Aug 21 at 2015 10:02 AM

2015-08-21T10:02:46-04:00

This IS Trump we're talking about. You could give him a commanders coin and he'd swear he just got the MOH from congress. Trump 2016!!!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 21 at 2015 10:11 AM

2015-08-21T10:11:09-04:00

Mr. Trump embellishes EVERYTHING.

Response by Sgt Mathew Meyer made Aug 21 at 2015 10:43 AM

2015-08-21T10:43:57-04:00

Sort of like taking sniper fire when landing in Bosnia in 1996. It's hard to find a politician who doesn't try to burnish his/her record.

Response by LCpl Tom Goudey made Aug 21 at 2015 10:51 AM

2015-08-21T10:51:57-04:00

It just goes to show you, whether they like the Marines or not, they respect who and what we are. Even if they have to embellish the story to make it look good to the American people.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Aug 21 at 2015 11:07 AM

2015-08-21T11:07:34-04:00

Lol.

Response by Capt Mark Strobl made Aug 21 at 2015 12:34 PM

2015-08-21T12:34:34-04:00

Well... sorta, Mr. Trump. A photo op with the Commandant doesn't translate to an endorsement from the Corps... or the DoD, for that matter.

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Aug 21 at 2015 12:38 PM

2015-08-21T12:38:26-04:00

I think this might have just been a slip of the tongue by Trump. Granted, the dude embellishes a lot but again he might have just misspoken.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Aug 21 at 2015 12:39 PM

2015-08-21T12:39:54-04:00

Mr. Trump tends to Grandstand about EVERYTHING. This is not intended to be a knock on him, but he's got the spirit of P.T. Barnum sitting on his shoulder telling him to "go bigger" at ever opportunity.

I remember hearing a story several years ago about him playing a game of golf, and he likes to play for "stakes." Nothing big, but always something. He apparently has a McDonald's "Food for Life" card, and he talked about it being one of his prized possessions because no matter how bad things got, he knew he would always have his next meal.

Response by MAJ Keira Brennan made Aug 21 at 2015 1:54 PM

2015-08-21T13:54:38-04:00

Trump "overplays"??? Heavens no

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Aug 22 at 2015 12:28 PM

2015-08-22T12:28:19-04:00

Trump has fork tongue.

Response by SSgt Tom Neven made Aug 27 at 2015 5:39 PM

2015-08-27T17:39:14-04:00

Typical Trump b_s. God save us from this charlatan.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Aug 27 at 2015 5:53 PM

2015-08-27T17:53:22-04:00

That seems more like a poor choice of words than flat out lying. He is getting an award....it is being presented by the Marines......"I got a high award from the Marines" I see a lot of money being donated to the first responders kids in the form of scholarships. I see a person who looks out for us little people. I'm not saying I am voting for him. His campaign is a Trump themed television program, but I must say it is nice to see people excited about voting for once. The military is treated like a tool at election time and is promptly put back on the shelf when the election is over. I can think of no better example than our current POTUS. All talk and the perfect platform to make your party happy. Let's celebrate the triumphant victory for allowing transgenders to serve. We are talking about .02% of the armed forces, but they milk it for 100%. I want to see someone who genuinely looks out for the little people.