In a special move, just 16 days before the end of a half-century long political career, yesterday (Saturday) US President Joe Biden awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom – the country’s highest civilian award – to 19 more people, in what was seen as a message of support for democracy, which he claims is threatened by the president-elect Donald Trump. In doing so, Biden completed the number of decorations he has awarded in his tenure to 56. This, compared to Trump who awarded 24 decorations during his first term, mainly to golfers and his political supporters in Congress.
The ceremony in the East Room of the White House, which took place a day after Biden awarded the Presidential Citizens Medal toLiz Cheney andBenny Thompson On leading the commission of inquiry into the events of January 6 (the rise of Trump supporters on the Capitol building), he emphasized the family tension in American politics: while Robert Kennedy was decorated posthumously, his son, Robert Kennedy Jrwho was recently chosen by Trump to head the Ministry of Health, was not present at the ceremony. The decoration was received by Kennedy’s daughter, Kathleen.
Among the prominent decorated ones: Hillary Clintonwho was the first first lady elected to the Senate and the first woman to be nominated for president by a major party, andGeorge Sorosa Holocaust survivor who donated more than $32 billion to the Open Society Foundation since 1984. Soros’s decoration was received by his son, Alexas his father did not come to the ceremony. The decision to award them the decoration caused an uproar in the corporate networks, whenElon Muskthe founder of Tesla, strongly attacked the decision regarding Soros in an interview on the podcast of Joe Roganand claimed that he “fundamentally hates humanity”.
“As cultural icons, distinguished statesmen, humanitarian activists, rock and sports stars, you feed the hungry, you give hope to those who suffer, and you create the signs and sounds of our movements and memories,” Biden said at the ceremony.
The chef is also among the prominent decorators Jose Andreswhose organization World Central Kitchen (WCK) provided 450 million meals in disaster and war zones around the world, including in Ukraine and Gaza, and the player Michael J. Foxwhich helped raise $1.5 billion for medical research into Parkinson’s disease. The football star Leo Messiwho was also chosen to receive the decoration, was absent from the ceremony due to a “schedule conflict”.
The decoration, first awarded by the President John Kennedywas also awarded posthumously (after death) toGeorge Romneythe former senator’s father Mitt Romneywho was a fierce critic of Trump. Romney Sr. served as governor of Michigan and distinguished himself in his fight for civil rights, even when this brought him into conflict with the leaders of his Republican Party.
Among the other winners: the singer Bono from the band U2, the actor Denzel Washingtonthe fashion designer Ralph Laurenthat Biden wore his suits at the presidential inauguration in 2021 andJill Biden She wore his clothes at the king’s coronation CharlesVogue editor Anna Wintourwhich has put Jill Biden on the cover of the magazine twice in the past four years after refusing to do so toMelania Trump During her husband’s tenure, and the famous chimpanzee researcher Jane Goodell.