Trump's Growing Trophy Cabinet: A Parade of Prizes and Plaudits
It is widely known that President Donald Trump has a fondness for certain pleasures: Big Macs, extensive television viewing, the musical "Les Misérables," golf outings, and grand parades. However, as he navigates his second term, a distinct pattern has emerged among those seeking to gain his favor. They have keenly observed that Trump has a pronounced appreciation for awards, trophies, and medals. This inclination was perhaps first signaled by his very public desire for the Nobel Peace Prize, a yearning that did not go unnoticed.
Below is an ongoing compilation of the entirely genuine, not at all fabricated awards that Trump has recently accumulated, showcasing the lengths to which supporters go to honor him.
The 'America First Award': A Newly Minted Honor
In a presentation that drew widespread mockery this week, House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, delivered effusive praise while bestowing upon Trump a prize previously unheard of: the "America First Award." Johnson, speaking at a National Republican Congressional Committee fundraiser, emphasized that Trump was the inaugural recipient of this recognition.
"The president has done so much for the American people, and we want to honor him in some small way, some token of our appreciation for his leadership," Johnson stated. He further elaborated, "We have created a new award. We're going to do something we've never done before. We're going to honor him with a new award that we will present annually from this point forward. But he is the suitable and fitting recipient of the first-ever America First Award. We could think of no better title for what that is."
Trump departed the event with a trophy featuring an imposing eagle with wings spread, symbolizing the award's theme.
The 'FIFA Peace Prize': A Sporting Gesture
In December, amidst Trump's vocal disappointment over missing out on the Nobel Peace Prize, FIFA President Gianni Infantino awarded him the first-ever "FIFA Peace Prize." This award was established by the scandal-plagued sports organization just a month prior. Infantino lavished praise on Trump during the presentation, citing his "unwavering commitment to advancing peace and unity throughout the world through their notable leadership." A pre-recorded video hailed Trump as "a dynamic leader who has engaged in diplomatic efforts that created opportunities for dialogue, de-escalation and stability."
This accolade comes as the United States prepares to host 11 World Cup games this summer. Reports suggest FIFA hopes Trump will exempt players, coaches, and support staff from his policy requiring a tourist visa costing up to $15,000 for entry into the U.S.
Trump received two items: a medal described by Infantino as "beautiful medal for you that you can wear everywhere you want to go," and a distinctive trophy depicting zombie-like hands reaching toward a globe resembling a soccer ball.
The 'Undisputed Champion of Beautiful Clean Coal' Award
Last month, the Washington Coal Club, a D.C.-based industry group, declared Trump the "Undisputed Champion of Beautiful Clean Coal"—another honor never before conferred. James Grech, CEO of Peabody, the nation's largest coal company, expressed gratitude while presenting the award.
"We stand here today representing the thousands of coalminers across the country to express our deep gratitude to you, sir, for the actions you've taken to support our industry," Grech said. In response, Trump pledged, "We're going to be buying a lot of coal through the military now." The award included a bronze trophy of a coal miner wielding a pickaxe.
Someone Else's Nobel Peace Prize
Trump's open longing for the Nobel Peace Prize was met with frustration in October when it was awarded to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado. She promptly dedicated her prize to Trump, praising his "decisive support of our cause." However, this did not fully satisfy Trump, who was later overheard complaining to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about the outcome.
Weeks later, Machado took her admiration further by presenting her Nobel medal to Trump, who accepted it joyfully. He shared on Truth Social, "María presented me with her Nobel Peace Prize for the work I have done. Such a wonderful gesture of mutual respect." The Nobel Peace Center later clarified that the prize cannot be shared or transferred, even if a winner hands over the medal. Despite this, Trump received a framed version of the medal with his name prominently displayed.
An Olympic Medallion for 'Coaching Excellence'
Every Olympic and Paralympic medalist has the opportunity to award the Order of Ikkos medallion to someone significant in their journey, typically a coach. Olympic women's bobsled medalist Kaillie Humphries presented hers to Trump earlier this month at a White House Women's History Month event. She commended him for expanding IVF access and "standing up to keep biological women in women's sports."
Trump exclaimed, "I knew I liked her!" upon receiving the medallion, displaying clear delight despite it not being his preferred color.
The 'Architect of Peace Award'
The "Architect of Peace Award," a legitimate prize distributed by the Richard Nixon Foundation since 1995, was bestowed upon Trump in October. The board's chairman praised his "America First foreign policy" and "peace-through-strength philosophy," as well as his role in brokering the "momentous Gaza Peace Deal," a cease-fire that soon faltered. This award has historically been given to Republicans, including notable figures like Henry Kissinger, Dick Cheney, and Donald Rumsfeld.
The 'McDonald's French Fry Certification Pin'
During the 2024 presidential campaign, Rep. Chuck Edwards, a Republican from North Carolina and McDonald's franchise owner, presented Trump with the "French Fries Certification Pin." This recognized Trump's participation in a campaign stunt at a Pennsylvania McDonald's, where he served food. Edwards remarked, "I know that you perfected your skills behind the counter a day or so ago, and it was my honor to present President Trump with the 'French Fries Certification Pin.'" The award consisted of an enamel button depicting a box of fries attached to Edwards' business cards.
Honorable Mention: A Fictitious 'Man of the Year' Award
Since at least 2016, Trump has occasionally claimed to have been named Michigan's "man of the year" or "Republican of the Year." However, no evidence supports this assertion, and the award does not appear to exist. HuffPost investigated the claim initially and found no record. In 2024, Trump produced a newspaper clipping from The Oakland Press to substantiate his story, but the article was from 2023, referencing a "Man of the Decade" title, which contradicted his earlier timeline and did not validate the original claim.
This collection of awards underscores Trump's penchant for recognition and the creative efforts by allies to cater to this preference, blending genuine honors with more whimsical tokens of appreciation.
