General Discussion

That reminded me of a story from almost a decade ago. Politico published this report in August 2016:

Without setting foot on a battlefield, Donald Trump said he received a Purple Heart medal on Tuesday at his rally in Ashburn, Virginia, from a retired lieutenant colonel and supporter.

‘I said to him, “Is that like the real one, or is that a copy?”’ the Republican nominee said moments after taking the stage at a local high school. Trump recounted the exchange, remarking that the man, who he identified as retired Lt. Col. Louis Dorfman said, ‘That’s my real Purple Heart. I have such confidence in you.’

“I always wanted to get the Purple Heart,” the then-candidate declared. “This was much easier.”

Purple Hearts are awarded to service members or their families after they’re wounded or killed in the course of their military service. Due to alleged “bone spurs” in his feet, Trump avoided military service, but by his own admission, he “always wanted to get the Purple Heart” anyway.

Having someone who actually served in the military hand him the honor was “much easier” for Trump than actually wearing the uniform and putting his life on the line.

With Machado, the story is similar: Trump wants the accolades without the sacrifice. He apparently prefers a model in which others do the heavily lifting and then generously turn over their honors to him, without him having to do anything to merit the award he covets.

But while the president will likely celebrate the Nobel Peace Prize that ended up in his possession, he’ll know — we all know — that there’s a dramatic difference between a gift and earned honors.