Trump says he will award Ben Carson Presidential Medal of Freedom

President Donald Trump said Saturday that he will award Ben Carson the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, marking the third such announcement he has made this month. The remarks came during a Mount Vernon event for the American Cornerstone Institute, which Carson founded.

Carson, 74, is a former neurosurgeon who ran for president in 2016 and later served as Housing and Urban Development secretary in Trump's first term. The onetime rival helped cultivate a bond with Trump, and Carson served as Trump's national faith chairman during last year's campaign. A staunch social conservative who has opposed abortion rights and same-sex marriage, Carson has remained a popular conservative speaker and author. Trump said, "Congratulations, Ben. He didn't know this. He didn't know it. I hope he's happy."

Trump has not set a date for presenting the award to Carson, but his comments came as the White House has floated other honors for conservatives. Earlier this month, Trump said he would bestow the Medal of Freedom on former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani. During a Sept. 11 commemoration event at the Pentagon, Trump announced that he would posthumously give the award to conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated earlier this month and whose memorial service Trump plans to attend Sunday in Arizona.

The Medal of Freedom, established in 1963, is awarded to individuals who have made especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, or cultural or other significant public endeavors. Trump awarded the honor to numerous figures during his first term, and with Carson's nomination, the president has already signaled three recipients since returning to the White House. The White House has not disclosed a formal ceremony date for Carson, and additional details about the other announced honorees remain to be announced.

Carson's relationship with Trump extends back to their 2016 campaign and beyond. The former neurosurgeon later joined the administration as HUD secretary and has continued to influence conservative policy circles through public speaking and authorship. Carson also chairs and leads the American Cornerstone Institute, which is associated with his broader advocacy work.

Observers note that Medal of Freedom selections can reflect a president's priorities and tapping Carson for the award underscores the administration's emphasis on faith, public service, and conservative policy leadership. As the White House maneuvers through announcements of multiple honors this month, the focus remains on public service milestones and the roles those individuals have played within the broader political and cultural conversation in American politics.