Donald Trump has sparked fresh concerns about his wellbeing after he appeared to struggle with the basic task of fastening the Medal of Honor to a US Army veteran. The incident occurred on Thursday, June 18, during a ceremony at the White House honoring retired US Army Major Nicholas Dockery, an Afghanistan hero.
The Ceremony Mishap
During the event in the East Room, President Trump gave Major Dockery a slap on the back before attempting to clasp the medal's ribbon behind the veteran's back. As Dockery began to smile at the prolonged effort, the 80-year-old president ultimately appeared to give up and instead tied the ribbon in a knot. He then tugged on the veteran's shoulders, drawing laughter from the audience, before the two shook hands.
Social Media Reaction
A clip of the gaffe was shared on X by Aaron Rupar, captioned: "Trump struggles to clasp the Medal of Honor to Major Nicholas Dockery -- and then ties it?" The post garnered nearly five million views, sparking a wave of criticism and jokes.
- One user remarked: "He deserves another Medal of Honor for surviving that attempted strangulation."
- Another said: "Trump's fumbling hands were so weak and feeble that he almost choked the poor guy. That soldier definitely earned his Medal of Honor after surviving that."
- A third theorized: "Trump's fine motor skills are toast. A wheelchair is forthcoming."
- Another joked: "Maybe they should have given him one with velcro like little kids' sneakers."
- One user declared: "This is the most embarrassing thing I’ve ever seen a President do ever in the history of the country."
Previous Health Concerns
This is not the first time concerns have been raised about Trump's health. In recent months, he has been caught on camera struggling to walk in a straight line, and spectators have noted bruises on his hand and multiple instances of him appearing to fall asleep in public.
Major Dockery's Background
Despite the mishap, the ceremony otherwise proceeded smoothly. According to the U.S. Army's official website, Major Dockery, who retired in May 2026, has received numerous awards, including the Medal of Honor, Silver Star Medal, Legion of Merit, Soldier's Medal, Bronze Star Medal with two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, and Purple Heart with one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster. He founded the Nicholas Dockery Foundation in 2025, which supports art and equine therapy programs for those with mental and emotional health challenges.
