Monday, February 23, 2026

Trump to Honor Ben Carson with Presidential Medal of Freedom.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump announced that Dr. Ben Carson will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Trump and Ben Carson.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Announcement made at the American Cornerstone Institute’s Founders’ Dinner on Saturday; ceremony to take place at the White House.

đź’¬KEY QUOTE: “Congratulations Ben. He didn’t know this. He didn’t know it. I hope he’s happy.” – Donald Trump

🎯IMPACT: Dr. Carson, a former neurosurgeon and Trump administration official, is being recognized for his contributions to the nation.

IN FULL

Dr. Ben Carson will be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor. President Donald J. Trump announced the decision over the weekend during the American Cornerstone Institute’s Founders’ Dinner.

“Congratulations Ben. He didn’t know this. He didn’t know it. I hope he’s happy,” Trump said during the event, revealing the honor at the conclusion of his remarks. A ceremony to officially present the award will take place at the White House.

Dr. Carson, a renowned neurosurgeon and former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) under Trump, founded the American Cornerstone Institute (ACI). The organization’s website describes its mission as fighting for principles such as faith, liberty, community, and life.

Carson, who initially ran for the Republican presidential nomination during the 2016 GOP primary before endorsing Trump, has remained active in public life and is a staunch ally of the America First leader. He recently endorsed Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) for re-election, calling him “a steadfast conservative leader for South Carolina and our nation.”

Dr. Carson also spoke at the memorial service for slain Turning Point USA (TPUSA) leader Charlie Kirk in Arizona on Sunday. “I want to read a passage from John 12:24, remembering that Charlie was shot at 12:24 PM. ’Verily, verily, I say unto you, this is Christ speaking,'” Dr. Carson said.

“Except a corn of wheat fall onto the ground and die, it abideth alone. But if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.’ And I want to thank Charlie for his sacrifice, because much fruit is going to be realized.”

Image by National Museum of American History – Smithsonian Institution.

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J.D. Vance Trounces Opposition in Turning Point VP Poll.

Senator J.D. Vance (R-OH) has emerged as a leading candidate for former President Donald J. Trump‘s vice-presidential pick following a poll of attendees at Turning Point Action’s People’s Convention held this weekend. The poll, which surveyed 1,986 attendees in Detroit, found that 43 percent preferred Vance over his competitors.

The three-day event, organized by Turning Point Action, saw Governor Doug Burgum (R-ND), Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), and Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) also in contention. However, Scott was a distant second with 15.4 percent, followed by Rubio at 7.7 percent and Burgum at 7 percent. The poll was conducted by Big Data Poll on behalf of Turning Point Action, a grassroots movement founded by Charlie Kirk.

Despite Vance‘s lead in the poll, insiders suggest Trump has yet to make a final decision and could still consider Scott, Rubio, or Burgum. Trump, who spent Saturday in Michigan addressing attendees, is known for keeping his options open and often surprises with his choices.

Attendees at the convention also expressed strong opinions regarding House and Senate Republican leaders, as well as U.S. foreign policy. A significant portion disapproved of Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA)’s performance as leader of the House of Representatives—with over 50 percent saying they disapproved of his leadership. Meanwhile, a stunning 80 percent of respondents said they disapproved of Sen. Mitch McConnell‘s tenure as Minority Leader in the U.S. Senate. Additionally, there was overwhelming opposition—93.7 percent—against sending further aid to Ukraine.

The National Pulse polled its readers in May regarding their preference for Trump‘s vice-presidential pick. That poll found a plurality of support for Sen. Vance, with 32 percent of the vote. Meanwhile, Vivek Ramaswamy and Ben Carson came second, tied at 14 percent.

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Senator J.D. Vance (R-OH) has emerged as a leading candidate for former President Donald J. Trump's vice-presidential pick following a poll of attendees at Turning Point Action's People's Convention held this weekend. The poll, which surveyed 1,986 attendees in Detroit, found that 43 percent preferred Vance over his competitors. show more

J.D. Vance Wins National Pulse Reader VP Straw Poll.

Senator J.D. Vance (R-OH) handily won The National Pulse’s vice presidential straw poll, with support from nearly a third of readers. A steadfast supporter of former President Donald Trump, Vance is an outspoken voice for the populist right in the Senate.

Of the over 2,000 readers who participated in the poll, Vance was the top choice for Trump’s VP pick with 32 percent support. This was more than double the support of the runner-ups, Ben Carson and Vivek Ramaswamy, who both polled at 14 percent. Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) and Tulsi Gabbard tied for third place, with 11 percent support each.

Also included in the poll were Sen. Katie Britt (R-AL), North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR), South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), and Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY). All seven polled behind “none of the above,” which took fourth place, with nine percent of poll respondents selecting the option.

Sen. Vance, who first rose to prominence with his 2016 memoir Hillbilly Elegy, is noted for his support of former President Trump’s policies, both at home and abroad, and is one of few senators to maintain consistent America First positions, including opposition to NATO’s bloody Ukrainian proxy war against Russia.

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Senator J.D. Vance (R-OH) handily won The National Pulse's vice presidential straw poll, with support from nearly a third of readers. A steadfast supporter of former President Donald Trump, Vance is an outspoken voice for the populist right in the Senate. show more

Ben Carson Warns If Trump Is Kicked Off 2024 Ballot ‘America Will Never Be The Same Again.’

Former U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Ben Carson, voiced concerns Friday over the potential implications for future presidential bids if President Trump’s numerous legal battles contribute to his political downfall, the consequences of which Carson believes could set a distressing precedent.

Speaking with GBNews host Nigel Farage, Carson said: “I think a lot of people who don’t actually care for him in terms of his personality recognize that if we allow his opponents to use the Department of Justice to eliminate him as a viable candidate, America will never be the same again.”

President Joe Biden’s Department of Justice (DOJ) has launched an unprecedented lawfare campaign against former President Trump — the presumptive Republican presidential nominee — ahead of the 2024 election. DOJ special prosecutor Jack Smith is pursuing federal charges against Trump in Washington, D.C., and Florida.

Meanwhile, Democrat Party-aligned groups, some with direct ties to the Biden government, have undertaken efforts to remove the former President from state election ballots across the country — successful in Colorado and Maine. After hearing arguments in February, the U.S. Supreme Court is expected to weigh in.

While Carson did not offer any specific predictions should Trump be barred from running in 2024, his remarks do underscore the growing schism in America over Biden’s efforts to prosecute Trump.

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Former U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Ben Carson, voiced concerns Friday over the potential implications for future presidential bids if President Trump’s numerous legal battles contribute to his political downfall, the consequences of which Carson believes could set a distressing precedent. show more

Ben Carson At TPUSA’s AmFest: Get ‘Focused On Getting Trump Back Into Office’.

Dr. Ben Carson, who led the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development under former President Trump, addressed Turning Point USA’s (TPUSA) annual AmericaFest conference on Monday – warning attendees he sees a Democrat government determined to divide and pit Americans against each other. Carson, rumored to be on Trump’s short list for vice-president in 2024, spoke with TPUSA founder Charlie Kirk, and walked attendees through the story of what made America not just great, but unique among the nations of the world.

The soft-spoken doctor explained America’s youth must realize: “It doesn’t matter where your ancestors came from… you’re better off here than where they came from.” He told Kirk the seeds of division sown by Democrats, race-activists, and those who deny biological reality are akin to the sorts of divisions used by communist and socialist government to divide and conquer their own people. “We are not enemies,” Dr. Carson lamented. “People are trying to divide us…” on race, age, income, gender, and politics.

Dr. Carson explained that as a child and young man he experienced first-hand racism in Chattanooga, Tennessee – going on to praise the progress and strides the country has made since. “We now have black admirals, we had a President,” Carson said, before cracking a smile and humorously noting,”…and a Vice-President, although you don’t see her!” He added, pushing back against leftist accusations American racism is as bad today as it was when he was a boy: “If this country is so bad, why are so many people trying to get in?”

As former President Donald Trump has moved closer to securing the 2024 Republican nomination for president, Dr. Carson’s name has appeared more-and-more in the press as being a potential running mate. At the end of their America Fest interview, Charlie Kirk pressed him on the possibility of serving as Vice-President with Carson demurring: “Well, let me put it this way… right now our energies need to be focused on getting Trump back in office.”

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Dr. Ben Carson, who led the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development under former President Trump, addressed Turning Point USA's (TPUSA) annual AmericaFest conference on Monday – warning attendees he sees a Democrat government determined to divide and pit Americans against each other. Carson, rumored to be on Trump's short list for vice-president in 2024, spoke with TPUSA founder Charlie Kirk, and walked attendees through the story of what made America not just great, but unique among the nations of the world. show more
jeff roe

DeSantis PAC Chief Jeff Roe Admits Trashing Vivek to Corporate Media.

Jeff Roe, the chief strategist for Ron DeSantis’s Super PAC Never Back Down, has taken responsibility for co-ordinating online attacks and spreading dirt on the Republican outsider and DeSantis’ rival, Vivek Ramaswamy. Roe undertook similarly dirty tactics in 2016 against then-candidate Ben Carson.

In a leaked conversation before the recent GOP primary debate, Roe told a number of DeSantis donors and supporters, “Everything you read about [Ramaswamy) is from us… Every misstatement, every 360 he’s conducting or 180 that he is going through in life, is from our scrutiny and pressure. And so, he’s not going to go through that very well, and that will get worse for him.”

Roe, who runs the legally embattled Axiom Strategies, also admitted to his audience that “a big night” for Ramaswamy may prove problematical for the Florida Governor, who required a breakout moment during the debate. The opposite happened, however, with Ramaswamy dominating national and international media coverage, handing DeSantis a rather forgettable performance.

Tricia McLaughlin, a spokeswoman for Ramaswamy, responded: “America watched Vivek dominate the debate stage, it’s no wonder Never Back Down is pissing away another $20+ million after Labor Day.”

Roe recently demanded another $50 million from donors, as his PAC shifts resources to Iowa with a $12 million ad spend, and an admission that he has fewer than 60 days to defeat Donald Trump.

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Jeff Roe, the chief strategist for Ron DeSantis's Super PAC Never Back Down, has taken responsibility for co-ordinating online attacks and spreading dirt on the Republican outsider and DeSantis' rival, Vivek Ramaswamy. Roe undertook similarly dirty tactics in 2016 against then-candidate Ben Carson. show more