Republican Party presents Trump with ‘America First Award’ at inauguration ceremony
The Republican Party awarded US President Donald Trump the first-ever America First Award on Wednesday, March 25th.
The Republican Party on March 25 awarded President Donald Trump the first-ever America First Award, a feat that followed a backlash from lawmakers over receiving the newly created honor.
The award was presented to Trump at the National Republican Congressional Committee’s annual fundraising dinner by House Speaker Mike Johnson, who said the award was created with the president in mind.
“We are doing something that has never been done before,” said Prime Minister Johnson. “We will honor him with a new award every year from now on, and he is a worthy and worthy recipient of the first-ever America First Award.” “I can’t think of a better title…And that’s what we have here, this beautiful golden statue, befitting America’s new golden age.”
Prime Minister Johnson said the award is a sign of appreciation for President Trump’s leadership, adding that the president has worked to “make America strong again on the world stage to solve all the domestic problems facing this country.”
What awards has Mr. Trump recently won?
President Trump has won a variety of awards in the second year of his second term, including the U.S. military’s invasion of Venezuela and the removal of current and former President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, the shooting deaths of two Americans during an immigration crackdown in Minneapolis in January, and the U.S.’s start of war with Iran as well as Israel in late February.
His latest award comes months after he won the first FIFA Peace Prize in December 2025 and was presented with the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize medal by the actual recipient, Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Colina Machado. The Nobel Foundation said in a statement on January 16 that Machado presented the award to the president during a White House meeting in January, but that the decision to award the award to Trump does not change the recipient.
Trump’s recent honors, particularly the America First Award, have sparked backlash, with several members of Congress condemning them on social media.
Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Florida, said in an X post on March 25th, “While TSA agents are waiting for their paychecks, yet another gold statue of Donald Trump?! This is completely out of line.”
Kate Perez covers national trends and breaking news for USA TODAY. You can reach her at kperez@usatodayco.com or X @katecperez_.
