-On November 16th, President Trump
awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom
to seven notable individuals.
-It was an extension of an original medal
that Harry Truman began to give in 1945.
And he really looked at it as a civilian honor
to those who had assisted with the war effort in World War II.
But when President John F Kennedy was in office,
he chose to make this, sort of, a more personal medal of honor.
-That means that more than 500 distinguished individuals
have received the prestigious medal from 11 presidents
for their contributions in the arts, economics,
science and medicine, diplomatic and humanitarian efforts,
philanthropy, law, and other areas.
And of course, a host of politicians make the list.
-It's typically meant to recognize those
who have had or done significant service.
It's really the highest civilian award
that exists within our government.
The President appears to be thanking them
not just for their service to the country,
but for their political service to either his party
or, really, their work as a politician.
-On Trump's list this year is Miriam Adelson,
who the White House cites for her contributions
in narcotic-addiction research
and the two substance-abuse research centers she founded,
as well as her philanthropic contributions -Miriam Adelson.
A medical doctor,
Miriam has dedicated her life to fighting addiction,
something we're all becoming all too familiar with.
-But what Trump failed to mention
is that Adelson donated at least $87 million
to Republican candidates in the 2018 midterm elections.
That figure, combined with donations from her husband,
billionaire casino tycoon Sheldon Adelson,
makes the Adelsons the biggest political donors
of this election cycle.
-There is a side of this award where it does seem to be
that the president gives this award to those civilians
who have been particularly helpful to them.
There is this desire to kind of want to see things
in a quid-pro-quo fashion.
And I think much of that is actually related
to how poorly President Trump and his administration
have distanced himself from his own businesses.
So part of this is also brought on by,
I think, the President's, really,
behavior with regard to business and his own self interest.
-Ultimately, awarding the Presidential Medal of Freedom
is the President's decision.
But while Miriam Adelson's achievements
are undoubtedly impressive,
the price tag of her GOP donations
has raised speculation about Trump's motivation,
or perhaps incentives, for the award.
Still, Trump is not the first president to award the medal
in a way that could be interpreted
as a partisan thank you.
-It is true that people who have been helpful on each side
of the aisle have received these awards.
President Bush saw Dick Cheney
has as the Secretary of Defense during the first Gulf War
as having been someone deserving of this medal.
Bill Clinton in 1995 recognized Lew Wasserman,
who is an entertainment executive and was a major donor
to the Democratic Party in the '90s.
George W Bush recognized Charlton Heston who,
while he was not an individual, personal large donor
to the Republican Party, he was spokesman for the NRA.
Barack Obama also gave this award to Warren Buffett
who has been a long-time donor with the Democratic Party
and certainly supported his efforts.
-The United States is proud to recognize Doctor Adelson
for an incredible career and record of service
to her community and the country.