Donald Trump has drawn laughs after making an awkwardly worded joke about himself and his two eldest sons while discussing the United States’ highest military honour.

The US President made the remark during a speech at the dedication of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in North Dakota, where he was reflecting on famous father-and-son recipients of the Medal of Honor.

After noting that former President Theodore Roosevelt and his son, Theodore Roosevelt Jr, along with General Arthur MacArthur and his son, Douglas MacArthur had both earned the military decoration, Mr Trump spotted Donald Jr and Eric sitting in the audience.

The address took an unintentionally bizarre turn when Mr Trump joked about awarding the medal to himself and his two sons, inadvertently making “a threesome”.

“As I see my two beautiful sons sitting there, I think I’m going to give one to myself, one to them, and we’ll have a threesome, OK?”, Mr Trump said, drawing laughter and audible reactions from the crowd.

“I’ll pick out one of the two, I’ll give them the Congressional Medal of Honour for something, for their genius at hunting.

“And I’ll get one for taking on ‘Russia, Russia, Russia’ or something. And we’ll have a third pair. No, I’m only kidding.”

The viral moment came after Mr Trump made a similar comment earlier in the day, the Independent reports.

“I want to give one to myself, but they tell me and I’m not allowed to,” Mr Trump said.

“What have I done … to deserve it and they couldn’t think of anything, so I’m not happy with them today.”

Neither Mr Trump nor his sons have served in the US military.

The country’s prestigious accolade is intended to honour service members that distinguish themselves in combat “conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty.”

Arthur MacArthur Jr earned the Medal of Honour for his extreme bravery at the Battle of Missionary Ridge during the American Civil War.

His son, Douglas MacArthur, was awarded the honour for his defence efforts against Japanese forces in the Philippines in World War II.

Theodore Roosevelt received the medal after his death for his courage leading the Rough Riders during the Battle of San Juan Hill in the Spanish-American War.

His son, Theodore Roosevelt Jr, was honoured for his bravery after landing with the first wave of troops on Utah Beach during the D-Day invasion of Normandy.