Donald Trump jokes about the 'easier' way to get a Purple Heart

Donald Trump.
(Image credit: Getty Images)

On Tuesday, one of Donald Trump's longtime dreams finally came true: He got a Purple Heart award, and he didn't even have to serve in the military for it. Instead, retired Lt. Col. Louis Dorfman handed Trump a copy of his Purple Heart award before a rally in Ashburn, Virginia. Trump was positively floored by the gesture. "Man, that's like big stuff," Trump said. "I always wanted to get the Purple Heart. This was much easier."

Trump claimed the Purple Heart the veteran had given him was "the real one" he'd received through his service, and that Dorfman had wanted Trump to have it because he had "such confidence" in Trump's candidacy. In fact, Trump said, Dorfman declined his invitation to speak for a moment onstage, saying, "I'd just like you to keep saying what you've been saying."

Dorfman, however, later clarified that the Purple Heart he'd given to Trump was just a copy, not his actual award.

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