Maryland Governor Wes Moore has been making headlines as one of the Democrats’ brightest hopes for the 2028 presidential race.
But instead of basking in momentum, Moore finds himself facing uncomfortable questions about his military record—and trading blows with none other than President Donald Trump.
What began as an old controversy about his Bronze Star has now turned into a political storm, raising doubts about his credibility just as his national profile grows.
The Bronze Star Controversy
The trouble stems from a 2006 application Moore filled out for a White House fellowship.
On it, he claimed to have received a Bronze Star and a Combat Action Badge.
At the time, neither award had actually been granted.
Moore later explained the inclusion as an “honest mistake,” saying his commanding officers had told him to list the commendation, which they believed he would soon be awarded.
And indeed, in 2024—almost two decades later—he did finally receive both honors for his combat service in Afghanistan.
Still, critics argue that Moore allowed the falsehood to linger for years, even as he was praised as a decorated veteran.
Pressed on Live Television
Fox News host Will Cain confronted Moore about the issue in a tense interview.
Cain acknowledged Moore’s service but pressed him repeatedly on why he allowed the incorrect claim to stand for so long.
Cain said bluntly: “You would know if you got the Bronze Star.
The question is, why did you claim it for so long before you got it?”
Moore, however, stuck to a familiar line—highlighting his service, his sacrifices, and the pride he takes in his time in uniform.
He never directly answered why the record was not corrected sooner.
Cain, clearly frustrated, told him: “This does not look like good evidence of your willingness to tell the truth.”
Trump Pounces on the Scandal
President Donald Trump wasted no time seizing on the story.
In the early hours of Thursday morning, he blasted Moore on Truth Social, suggesting this could mark “the end of his political career.”
Trump also accused Moore of being “very disrespectful to the Office of the President” and tied the controversy to broader questions about his honesty.
The feud escalated further after Moore criticized Trump’s idea of sending National Guard troops into Baltimore to combat crime.
Moore called the move “tone deaf” and “ignorant,” inviting Trump to walk Baltimore’s streets with him to understand the community firsthand.
Moore’s Defense
In response, Moore has tried to provide more context.
He explained that during his deployment in Afghanistan, his brigade commander encouraged him to apply for the fellowship and even helped edit his application.
According to Moore, his superiors told him to list the Bronze Star because they believed it had already been approved.
His mentor, Lt. Gen. Michael Fenzel, has backed up this version of events, saying he advised Moore to include the award.
Even so, the lingering question remains: why didn’t Moore correct the record once he realized the medal hadn’t yet been awarded?
A Career at a Crossroads
Moore’s supporters argue that his combat service and later recognition prove his integrity, while his critics see the episode as a damaging blemish that undermines his political future.
With Democrats still fractured after Trump’s 2024 victory, Moore has been viewed as one of the party’s most promising figures heading into 2028.
But scandals like this can stick—and Trump’s relentless attacks suggest it won’t fade quietly.
For now, Moore is doubling down on his record, insisting that his service speaks for itself.
But as the 2028 conversation picks up, the question is whether voters will see a decorated veteran who made a paperwork mistake—or a politician who inflated his résumé.
