Trump Overstated His Military Credentials From Marines

In an answer trying to bolster his military credibility, Trump referenced receiving an award in April, saying it came from the United States Marines Corps when it was actually the charity The Marine Corps-Law Enforcement Foundation.

During an interview with CNN’s Chris Cuomo, Trump made the claim:

“I was given the biggest award by the Marines the other day, one of the biggest civilian awards by the Marines the other day. 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.”

Cuomo interjected: “So you’re saying they respect you.”

“I think they do. Well, I got the award from them. And they presented it to me, so I think they do.”

But the award came at a charity gala, where Trump pledged to donate $100,000 to the organization in his speech, the New York Post’s Page Six reported at the time.

Trump’s spokeswoman confirmed that was the award he was referring to.

But that doesn’t add up because Trump boasted many times before that he was receiving the award from the actual United States Marines.

A picture of the award from the Marine Corps clearly shows the name of the charity on the award. The Marine Corps-Law Enforcement Foundation is a charity that gives scholarships to the children of fallen Marines and federal law enforcement officers.

The Marines also confirmed they did not give an award to Trump.

“The U.S. Marine Corps has not presented any awards to any presidential candidates this year,” said Marine Corps spokesman Maj. Paul Greenberg. “It is not customary for the Marine Corps to make such presentations.

Greenberg said the Marine Corps Law Enforcement Foundation is a nonprofit not officially affiliated with the Department of Defense or the government.

(h/t CNN)

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