Ben Carson, former HUD secretary and longtime Trump ally, is set to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)By Meg KinnardThe Associated PressPresident Donald Trump said Sept. 20 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. He didn’t know this,” Trump said in a speech during an event at Mount Vernon for American Cornerstone Institute, founded by Carson. A staunch social conservative who has opposed abortion rights and same-sex marriage, Carson has become a popular conservative speaker and author. Trump mentioned no date for giving the honor to Carson, but other honorees are already in the pipeline.