Republicans whipped up a golden eagle award for Trump, making it his third fake prize in months

House Speaker Mike Johnson presented President Donald Trump with a newly created “America First” award, including a golden eagle statue, during the National Republican Congressional Committee fundraiser. This happened while the US is dealing with an ongoing war in Iran, increasing pressure on Cuba, widespread immigration enforcement, and a partial government shutdown.

According to The Guardian, Johnson said the award was a “small way” to honor President Trump for his leadership and what he has done for the American people. He called the golden eagle “appropriate for the new golden era in America” and announced that the award would be given every year.

The “America First” award is not the first manufactured prize Trump has received in recent months. Last month, mining executives at the White House gave him the “Undisputed Champion of Beautiful, Clean Coal” award. Before that, in December, he received the “Fifa peace prize,” which was created specifically to honor him for promoting “peace and unity” globally.

Republicans handing out golden eagles while government workers go unpaid shows a troubling disconnect from real issues

The newly created award quickly drew criticism from Democrats and political commentators. Former White House press secretary Jen Psaki called it “yet another participation trophy” for the president to “make sure he feels good about himself.” She added that any other adult would be “completely embarrassed by the patronizing way that Trump is showered with fake awards on a near-daily basis.”

Other lawmakers were also quick to mock the award. US Representative Kathy Castor from Florida called it “out of touch,” pointing to the partial government shutdown that has left Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents without pay. 

US Representative Seth Magaziner from Rhode Island said it was “so embarrassing for everyone involved.” California Representative Nanette D Barragán criticized Johnson directly, telling him to “do his job” instead of what she called “kissing a—.” On the international front, the US and Israel are continuing military strikes as the war in Iran escalates. 

Reports suggest that Trump and Netanyahu have clashing views on Iran’s future, which has added further tension to the situation. At the same time, the US government’s tightening oil blockade on Cuba has caused serious shortages of food, fuel, and medicine, even as the two countries are reportedly in negotiations. Back home, the partial government shutdown continues due to disagreements between Democrats and Republicans over immigration enforcement. 

TSA employees are missing paychecks, causing very long wait times at airports, with immigration enforcement officials even being sent to work at those locations.  On the Iran front, Trump stepping back from bombing threats and moving toward negotiations has been a notable shift in the administration’s foreign policy approach.