The White House isn’t dismissing the idea that President Donald Trump could bestow the nation’s highest civilian honor on a man known in MAGA circles as “Big Balls.”

During Tuesday’s press briefing, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt fielded a question from pro-Trump media personality Benny Johnson, who brought up the recent attempted carjacking of Edward Coristine — a former staffer at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

Coristine, whose online notoriety stems from his nickname “Big Balls,” was assaulted just blocks from the White House, in an incident MAGA influencers have framed as evidence of out-of-control crime in Washington, D.C. Trump has since used the episode to justify his unprecedented federal takeover of policing in the capital.

“Given the heroic actions of a member of this administration, just a few blocks from this building, will the president consider giving the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Big Balls?” Johnson asked.

Leavitt didn’t shut the door on the suggestion.

> “I haven’t spoken to him about that, but perhaps it’s something he would consider,” she replied. “I’ll ask him and get back to you.”



The exchange underscores how Trump and his allies have leveraged the Coristine case as political theater, with the White House weaving it into the president’s law-and-order narrative ahead of the 2026 midterms.

While the Medal of Freedom is typically awarded to figures with decades of contributions in public service, the arts, sciences, or national security, Trump has a history of handing it to political allies and cultural icons who boost his base appeal — from conservative talk show hosts to sports figures.

Coristine’s alleged “heroism” remains vaguely defined, with neither the White House nor police providing specifics beyond confirming the assault. But the incident has become a MAGA talking point, frequently invoked in Fox News segments and pro-Trump online spaces.

Awarding the medal to “Big Balls” would almost certainly spark backlash from critics, who accuse Trump of trivializing the honor for political spectacle. Supporters, however, see the idea as another way to “own the libs” while spotlighting what they claim is the Biden-era collapse of urban safety — despite Biden not being in office at the time of the assault.

Whether the proposal was serious or just trolling for headlines, it’s now in the president’s court. And given Trump’s penchant for headline-grabbing gestures, the idea — however unconventional — may not be off the table.