With trust, parties look out for each other for the betterment of the group. Just like you have done here – having recognized that something wasn’t quite right and brought it to my attention. (And on that note I have attempted to make that statement more clear on your recommendation. I do hope I have succeeded this time.)

I assume absolutely nobody took the time to look at the honouree. Most likely because nobody actually gives a rat’s ass about his background. If there was trust, it could have been broken if the group pointed out that this person is not worthy of being honoured and the speaker went ahead with it anyway, but to do nothing and then throw him under the bus because nobody cared means there was no trust to begin with.