President Donald Trump said Saturday that he will award Ben Carson the Presidential Medal of Freedom , the nation's highest civilian honor, the third such award he's announced this month.

“Congratulations, Ben. He didn't know this,” Trump said in a speech during an event at Mount Vernon for American Cornerstone Institute, founded by Carson. "He didn't know it. I hope he’s happy.”

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A former neurosurgeon who ran against Trump for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination, Carson, 74, went on to serve as Housing and Urban Development secretary during Trump's first administration.

The one-time rivals developed a strong bond, and Carson — seen at one point as among the top contenders for Trump's running mate in the 2024

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