President Donald Trump recently announced his intention to award Dr. Ben Carson with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor. This declaration, made on Saturday, September 20, 2025, marks the third such award he has revealed this month.
Addressing attendees at an American Cornerstone Institute event at Mount Vernon – an organization founded by Dr. Carson – Trump surprised Carson with the news. “Congratulations, Ben. He didn’t know this,” Trump remarked during his speech. “He didn’t know it. I hope he’s happy.”
Dr. Carson, a distinguished neurosurgeon, previously challenged Trump for the Republican presidential nomination in 2016. Despite their initial rivalry, he later served as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development during Trump’s first term and played a significant role as Trump’s national faith chairman in the 2024 campaign, demonstrating a strong bond between the two.
Known for his unwavering social conservative views and opposition to abortion rights and same-sex marriage, the 74-year-old Carson has also gained prominence as a popular conservative speaker and author.
Established in 1963, the Presidential Medal of Freedom recognizes individuals who have made exceptionally meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, global peace, or to significant cultural or other public endeavors.
During his first term, President Trump bestowed this prestigious honor upon 24 individuals. With his return to the White House, he has already announced two other recipients besides Carson, though the specific date for Carson’s award has not yet been set.
Earlier this month, Trump revealed that former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani would also receive the medal, an announcement made just two days after Giuliani sustained serious injuries in a car accident. Additionally, during a September 11 commemoration at the Pentagon, Trump shared plans to posthumously award the medal to conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was tragically assassinated earlier this month. Trump is expected to attend Kirk’s memorial service on Sunday, September 21, 2025, in Arizona.