Biden honors Hillary Clinton, George Soros and Magic Johnson with Presidential Medal of Freedom
WASHINGTON — In the East Room of the White House on a particularly frigid Saturday afternoon, President Biden bestowed the Presidential Medal of Freedom on 19 of the most famous names in politics, sports, entertainment, civil rights, LGBTQ+ advocacy and science.
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton received a standing ovation from the crowd as she was given her medal. Clinton was accompanied to the event by her husband, former President Clinton, daughter Chelsea Clinton and grandchildren.
Democratic donor and philanthropist George Soros, actor-director Denzel Washington and Lakers legend and businessman Magic Johnson were also awarded the nation’s highest civilian honor in the White House ceremony.
“For the final time as president I have the honor bestowing the Medal of Freedom, our nation’s highest civilian honor, on a group of extraordinary, truly extraordinary people, who gave their sacred effort, their sacred effort, to shape the culture and the cause of America,” Biden said in his opening remarks.
“Let me just say to each of you, thank you, thank you, thank you for all you’ve done to help this country,” he said.
Four medals were awarded posthumously. They are going to Fannie Lou Hamer, who founded the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party and laid the groundwork for the 1965 Voting Rights Act; former attorney general and senator Robert F. Kennedy; George W. Romney, a former Michigan governor and secretary of Housing and Urban Development; and Ash Carter, a former secretary of Defense.
Kennedy is father to Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Health and Human Services secretary. Biden said of the late Kennedy: “Bobby is one of my true political heroes. I love and I miss him dearly.”
Romney is the father of former Utah Republican Sen. Mitt Romney, a conservative critic of Trump.
As Biden’s time in office winds down, he has spent the last few days issuing awards and medals to valiant military veterans, courageous law enforcement officials and exceptional Americans.
The White House said the Medal of Freedom recipients have made “exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace, or other significant societal, public or private endeavors.”
Biden bestows nation’s second highest civilian award on Liz Cheney and Bennie Thompson, who led Congress’ probe of the Capitol riot, and 18 others.
Major philanthropists receiving the award include Spanish American chef José Andrés, whose World Central Kitchen charity has become one of the most recognized global food relief organizations; and Bono, the Irish front man for the rock band U2 and a social justice activist.
Soros’ son Alex Soros accepted the medal on his father’s behalf. In an emailed statement, Soros said: “As an immigrant who found freedom and prosperity in America, I am deeply moved by this honor.”
Sports and entertainment stars being recognized included professional soccer player Lionel Messi, who was not able to attend the event; actor Michael J. Fox, who is an outspoken advocate for Parkinson’s disease research and development; and William Sanford Nye, known to generations of students as Bill Nye the Science Guy.
Other awardees include conservationist Jane Goodall; longtime Vogue magazine editor-in-chief Anna Wintour; fashion designer Ralph Lauren; American Film Institute founder George Stevens Jr.; entrepreneur and LGBTQ+ activist Tim Gill; and David Rubenstein, co-founder of the Carlyle Group global investment firm. Lauren is the first fashion designer to receive the honor.
Last year, Biden bestowed the Presidential Medal of Freedom on 19 people, including the late Medgar Evers, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco), Rep. James Clyburn (D-S.C.) and actor Michelle Yeoh.
Biden on Thursday awarded the second-highest civilian medal to Liz Cheney and Bennie Thompson, leaders of the congressional investigation into the Capitol riot who Trump has said should be jailed for their roles in the inquiry.
Biden gave the Presidential Citizens Medal to 20 people in a ceremony at the White House, including Americans who fought for marriage equality, a pioneer in treating wounded soldiers and two of the president’s longtime friends and senators.
Hussein writes for the Associated Press.
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