Was Donald Trump in the Military? Desk Photo Shows Challenge Coins on Display

Former President Donald Trump has shown off his challenge coin display in a photo that revealed an insight into his Mar-a-Lago office.

Trump's former senior adviser Stephen Miller allowed followers a glimpse inside the Florida office when he uploaded the photo to Twitter on Monday.

He captioned the image: "Just had a terrific meeting with President Trump!"

In the photo, Miller can be seen standing next to Trump, who was seated at his desk with his arms folded over pieces of paper.

Surrounding the pair were a host of interesting items, including a photo of Marine One flying by Mount Rushmore, a souvenir piece of the border wall and a small figurine of Trump himself.

The same desk where the statue could be found also included a display of Trump's challenge coins, which he had moved from the Oval Office. Challenge coins were historically used to prove membership of an organization and presented for special achievements.

While not all challenge coins are focused on the military, former President Trump received several coins from U.S. service members, including one-handed to him by Vice-Admiral Dave Johnson following a November 2016 security briefing.

This was despite the fact that Trump had not served in the military and infamously avoided the Vietnam draft four times while in college and was disqualified from service in 1972 due to bone spurs, which is the formation of a new bone of the surface of an existing one.

Trump also mocked the military service of the late prisoner of war and Arizona Senator John McCain when he said in July 2015: "I like people who weren't captured."

Eagle-eyed viewers would notice the challenge coins were on display during Trump's nationally televised address over the government shutdown in January 2019.

Commemorative pieces are minted by the White House Military Office, which designed coins for Trump's foreign visits, including the controversial June 2018 meeting between the former president and North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un.

The White House gift shop also features several presidential coins that celebrate parts of Trump's presidency, although these are not official and are considered a collector's item.

Challenge coins issued by presidents date back to the presidency of Bill Clinton, who kept numerous ones he had received from service members on his desk. They also featured in one of his official portraits, standing behind the then-president.

George W. Bush and Barack Obama made a habit of handing out coins given the opportunity, with both often giving them out to service members.