Donald Trump has been mocked on social media for seemingly ruin what should have been a wonderful moment for a veteran.
Donald Trump has faced his share of awkward public moments over the years, even as he frequently criticized Joe Biden for similar slip-ups during Biden’s time in office.
Now, another clip involving Trump has sparked fresh reaction online.
On Monday (March 2), Trump presented the Medal of Honor during a White House ceremony to three recipients.
He described the honorees as “incredible American heroes,” noting that two of the awards were being given posthumously and one was being awarded to a living recipient.
The president posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor to Master Sgt. Roderick (Roddie) W. Edmonds; posthumously awarded the medal to Staff Sgt. Michael H. Ollis and awarded the medal to Command Sergeant Major Terry P. Richardson.
But it was Trump’s interaction with Major Terry P. Richardson that drew the most attention.
Footage of the presentation has circulated widely, with many viewers focusing on the moment Trump placed the medal around Richardson’s neck.
In the video, Trump taps Richardson on the shoulder, then appears to take a few seconds to settle and fasten the ribbon. Afterward, he pats Richardson on the shoulder again and the two shake hands.
Online, however, some commenters fixated on how short and snug the ribbon looked, with a number of people joking that it seemed uncomfortably tight.
Even though the Medal of Honor ribbon is designed to be relatively short and to sit high on the chest and neck, the clip still prompted plenty of wisecracks.
One user joked: “First thing DOGE cut was the ribbon budget.
And another added: “why is it so tight? they didn’t have a longer ribbon? Wtf.”
Trump puts a medal on a veteran pic.twitter.com/HOEOEEToEe
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 2, 2026
With a third writing: “I guess you’re wondering why I have this dog collar around my neck. Well, it’s a funny story…..”
While another wrote: “Someone quick check to see if that medal is real! I’d be incredibly worried that the real one is sitting on Trump‘s bedside table!”
Others pointed out that the ribbon can look similarly close-fitting on prior recipients as well, sharing photos to back up their point.
The Medal of Honor is the nation’s highest military decoration. The White House says it is givien to those who ‘distinguish themselves conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of their own lives above and beyond the call of duty’.
The White House has also said the honorees are individuals who ‘engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States; engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.’