President Joe Biden will present the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award in the U.S., to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and 18 individuals, including billionaire philanthropist George Soros, in a ceremony at the White House on Saturday.
The White House said these honorees have made “exceptional contributions” to the country’s prosperity, values, security, and world peace. They also include people who have improved society in significant ways, either publicly or privately.
“President Biden believes great leaders prioritize fairness, decency, and giving everyone a fair shot,” the White House said in a statement. “These 19 Americans are recognized for their leadership and positive impact on the nation and the world.”
Among the award recipients are Clinton, Soros, and other influential figures from different fields, such as entertainment, sports, and business.
Hillary Clinton: A Historic Political Figure.
Clinton, 77, will receive the medal nearly 12 years after her husband, former President Bill Clinton, was awarded the same honor by President Barack Obama. Clinton made history throughout her long career in public service, including becoming the first woman to be nominated for president by a major U.S. political party in 2016. Although she lost the election to Donald Trump, her candidacy was groundbreaking.
Clinton has also faced controversies, such as an FBI investigation into her use of a private email server during her time as secretary of state. The FBI ultimately concluded that while Clinton and her colleagues were careless with sensitive information, there was no evidence they intentionally broke the law.
George Soros: A Major Donor and Philanthropist.
At 94, George Soros has been a major donor to the Democratic Party, contributing billions through his Open Society Foundations, which supports various causes globally, including democracy, human rights, and education. He has also funded political races, particularly to elect progressive district attorneys in U.S. cities. Some of these DAs have faced criticism from conservatives for prioritizing criminal justice reform over traditional law enforcement.
The White House honored Soros for his work in promoting democracy and social justice through his philanthropy. Soros’ network of foundations has been instrumental in supporting causes around the world.
In addition to Clinton and Soros, President Biden will present the Medal of Freedom to several well-known figures:
Denzel Washington – Academy Award-winning actor
Michael J. Fox – Actor, famous for Back to the Future
Earvin “Magic” Johnson – Basketball legend
Ralph Lauren – Fashion designer
Lionel Messi – Soccer star and World Cup champion
Bono – Lead singer of U2
Anna Wintour – Editor-in-chief of Vogue
Bill Nye – TV personality, known as “Bill Nye the Science Guy”
Jane Goodall – Renowned primatologist
David M. Rubenstein – Co-founder of The Carlyle Group
José Andrés – Celebrity chef and founder of World Central Kitchen
Ashton Carter – Former U.S. Secretary of Defense
Tim Gill – Advocate for LGBT rights
George W. Romney – Late businessman and former Michigan governor
George Stevens, Jr. – Author and playwright
Fannie Lou Hamer – Civil rights leader and co-founder of the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is awarded to those who have made significant impacts in their fields and on the nation, and this year’s recipients represent a wide range of achievements, from politics and philanthropy to entertainment and science.
