Posts misrepresenting Trump's Ellis Island Medal of Honor resurface online
- Published on February 19, 2026 at 22:08
- 2 min read
- By Bill MCCARTHY, AFP USA
An image spreading across Facebook claims Donald Trump was recognized decades before his presidency alongside civil rights icons Rosa Parks and Muhammad Ali for "contributing to the conditions of inner city Black youths." But while the accompanying photo is real, the description of Trump's award is inaccurate; the then-businessman was an inaugural recipient of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor for his achievements as a New York City developer, not work with Black children.
"Why doesn't the media remember this?" says text over an image shared February 16, 2026 to Facebook. "Trump being given the Ellis Island award for contributing to the conditions of inner city Black youths, standing alongside Muhammad Ali and Rosa Parks."
The image includes a photo of Trump wearing a medal alongside -- from right to left -- Parks, Ali, singer Anita Bryant, pianist Victor Borge and professional baseball player Joe DiMaggio.
Similar posts spread across Facebook and other platforms, including Threads, as Trump entered year two of his second term in the White House amid low approval ratings, and as the country marked Black History Month.
Trump has led a campaign against diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs since his return to office, and in early February faced backlash for posting a video depicting former president Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama as apes.
The same claim highlighting Trump's supposed work with Black youth has circulated for years -- and been repeatedly debunked by US fact-checking organizations.
The photo of Trump is real and was published by Getty Images on October 27, 1986 (archived here). According to an official online archive of the Ellis Island Medals of Honor awardees, Trump and each of the other individuals pictured were granted the prize in the ceremony's inaugural year (archived here).
But the reason for Trump's recognition has been distorted on social media over time.
"Trump's recognition only reflected his business contributions and impact on New York City," Otto Coca, director of media communications for the Ellis Island Honors Society, told AFP in a February 18, 2026 email.
"Any suggestion that Mr. Trump was honored for helping underprivileged youth or anything to do with 'inner-city youth' is ridiculous."
The society, which gives the award, says on its website that the medal "celebrates inspiring Americans who are selflessly working for the betterment of our country and its citizens" (archived here). The 2027 nomination criteria mention, among other considerations, honoring "ethnic heritage."
Ellis Island, located in New York Harbor, was once the busiest immigration station in the United States, processing some 12 million newcomers between 1892 and 1954.
An October 16, 1986 New York Times article covering the 80 inaugural winners of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor says of Trump: "Donald J. Trump, German, developer."
"Trump was recognized at the time for his professional achievements as a New York City developer, with specific acknowledgment of his rehabilitation of Wollman Rink in Central Park, and for reflecting the spirit of America's immigrant heritage through his German ancestry," Coca said.
Coca said the medal's criteria have evolved over time. In the medal's first year, honorees were selected for their accomplishments and "what they represented." Now 40 years later, they are chosen based on a broad range of achievements including philanthropy, leadership and service.
Winners in 2025 included actor Adrien Brody and journalist Christiane Amanpour.
AFP has debunked other misinformation about Trump here.
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