Outgoing President Joe Biden has provoked a backlash over the 19 individuals he chose to honor with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Biden handed out the nation’s highest civilian award during a ceremony at the White House on Saturday.
Among the recipients are former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, billionaire Democrat donor George Soros, and a diverse group of cultural icons, public servants, and advocates.
JUST IN: Biden to award the Presidential Medal of Freedom today to Hillary Clinton and George Soros.
— You Are The Media Now (@UAreMedia) January 4, 2025
The White House announced that the honorees were selected for their “exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace, or other significant societal, public or private endeavors.”
“President Biden believes great leaders keep the faith, give everyone a fair shot, and put decency above all else,” the White House statement said.
“These nineteen Americans are great leaders who have made America a better place.
“They are great leaders because they are good people who have made extraordinary contributions to their country and the world.”
George Soros, 94, is recognized for his far-left “activism” through his Open Society Foundations, which he founded over 40 years ago.
The globalist billionaire didn’t attend the ceremony and his award was collected by his son and heir Alex Soros.
The White House praised Soros for supporting organizations that allegedly “strengthen democracy, human rights, education, and social justice worldwide.”
Soros, a Hungarian-born hedge fund billionaire, has been one of the Democratic Party’s most significant financial backers.
In the 2022 midterm elections, Soros contributed over $175 million to Democrat candidates and causes, according to Federal Election Commission records.
In 2024, he funneled an additional $60 million to support House and Senate Democrats and progressive initiatives through his Democracy PAC.
Soros has also played a controversial role in funding campaigns to elect progressive district attorneys in major U.S. cities.
He funded the election campaigns of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, Philadelphia DA Larry Krasner, and former Los Angeles County DA George Gascón, among dozens more.
These prosecutors have faced criticism from Republicans for prioritizing criminal justice reforms over traditional law enforcement.
Soros has also been criticized for funding organizations linked to anti-Israel protests on college campuses, drawing additional scrutiny from conservative leaders.
X boss Elon Musk fired back over news that George Soros was receiving the award.
“A travesty that Biden is giving Soros the Medal of Freedom,” Musk said in a post on X.
“You know, getting DAs elected who refuse to prosecute crime.”
A travesty that Biden is giving Soros the Medal of Freedom https://t.co/LGvGe8kqKE
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 4, 2025
Musk also shared a video clip of himself discussing Soros on Joe Rogan’s podcast.
He argued that George Soros “fundamentally hates humanity.”
“He’s doing things that erode the fabric of civilization,” Musk explained.
WATCH:
🚨🇺🇸ELON: GEORGE SOROS FUNDAMENTALLY HATES HUMANITY
“He’s doing things that erode the fabric of civilization. You know, getting DAs elected who refuse to prosecute crime.”pic.twitter.com/2s59KsQ3WJ https://t.co/mUKQjLxXE4
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) January 4, 2025
Hillary Clinton, 77, was given the honor nearly 12 years after her husband, former President Bill Clinton, was awarded the medal by Barack Obama.
Clinton has held numerous high-profile roles, including first lady, U.S. senator for New York, and secretary of state.
In 2016, she made history as the first woman to be nominated for president by a major political party.
However, her bid for the presidency ended in tears when she was crushed by President Donald Trump.
The White House claims Clinton had “made history many times over decades in public service.”
Clinton was also the subject of an FBI investigation during her time as secretary of state regarding her use of a private email server.
The bureau concluded its probe without filing charges.
However, former FBI Director James Comey described her actions as “extremely careless” in handling classified information.
Several other prominent figures from various fields also received the award, including:
- Bono, lead singer of U2 and WEF globalism activist
- Michael J. Fox, actor and advocate for Parkinson’s disease research
- Lionel Messi, soccer legend and World Cup champion
- Magic Johnson, NBA Hall of Famer
- Ralph Lauren, iconic fashion designer
- Denzel Washington, Academy Award-winning actor
- Anna Wintour, Vogue editor-in-chief
- Bill Nye, science communicator and TV host
- Jane Goodall, primatologist and anthropologist
- Fannie Lou Hamer, the late civil rights leader
The event also posthumously honored figures such as Robert Francis Kennedy, former New York senator and U.S. Attorney General, and George W. Romney, the late governor of Michigan.
Notable, soccer star Lionel Messi snubbed the event.
The World Cup winner was awarded the medal and was invited to meet Biden and collect the award in Washington D.C.
However, as photos began to surface of the ceremony, it became clear that Messi was one of the few recipients to skip the event, and wasn’t pictured on stage with Biden.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom ceremony is a longstanding tradition recognizing individuals who have made lasting contributions to society.
Biden’s selection of recipients reflects a mix of political allies, cultural icons, and advocates who have shaped various aspects of American and global life.
