Joe Biden’s Final Mark: A Look at the Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipients
Honorees and Their Contributions
On [date], Joe Biden will award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to 19 honourees, recognizing the highest civilian honor in the US to entertainers, sports stars, politicians, and diplomats. Among the recipients are singer and activist Bono, basketball legend Earvin "Magic" Johnson, longtime fashion editor Anna Wintour, football superstar Lionel Messi, actors Denzel Washington and Michael J Fox, and fashion designer Ralph Lauren.
The honourees "are great leaders because they are good people who have made extraordinary contributions to their country and the world," the White House said in a statement. Others honored in this year’s crop include chef Jose Andres, founder of the World Central Kitchen NGO, and primate researcher Jane Goodall, a leading environmentalist voice.
Political Profiles
Some of the recipients selected by the 82-year-old Democrat have a more political profile, such as billionaire financier and left-wing philanthropist George Soros – a bogeyman of sorts for Republicans – and Hillary Clinton, the former first lady, senator, and US secretary of state who unsuccessfully ran against Donald Trump for the presidency in 2016.
Soros was honored because he "has supported organisations, and projects across the world that strengthen democracy, human rights, education, and social justice," according to a White House statement. Clinton, meanwhile, "made history many times over decades in public service," including being the first woman nominated by a major party for a US presidential election.
Bobby Kennedy: A Legacy of Justice and Equality
Biden also chose to posthumously award a Presidential Medal of Freedom to Robert Francis Kennedy, better known as "Bobby" Kennedy or his initials, "RFK." RFK served as US attorney-general while his brother John F Kennedy was president, and was assassinated in 1968 while campaigning for the Democratic presidential nomination.
"His legacy continues to inspire those committed to justice, equality, and public service," Biden said in a statement. RFK was also the father of Robert Kennedy Jr, "RFK Jr," a vaccine sceptic who has been tapped by president-elect Donald Trump to be the next secretary of health and human services.
A Desire to Leave a Final Mark
Biden’s selections for the Medal of Freedom illustrate a desire to leave one final mark before leaving office. On Thursday, in another slight to Trump, Biden awarded a Presidential Citizens Medal to Liz Cheney, a former Republican congressman from Wyoming who sat on the house panel investigating the Jan 6, 2021 insurrection on the US Capitol.
Trump expressed his indignation at the move yesterday, calling Cheney, a daughter of former US vice-president Dick Cheney, "totally corrupt" and wrote on Truth Social that "Biden rewarded her only because she hated ‘TRUMP.’"
Conclusion
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian honor in the US, and the recipients chosen by Joe Biden reflect his commitment to recognizing individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to their country and the world. As he prepares to leave office, Biden’s selections for the Medal of Freedom serve as a testament to his desire to leave a lasting impact on American society.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who are the recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom?
A: The recipients include singer and activist Bono, basketball legend Earvin "Magic" Johnson, longtime fashion editor Anna Wintour, football superstar Lionel Messi, actors Denzel Washington and Michael J Fox, and fashion designer Ralph Lauren, among others.
Q: Why was George Soros honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom?
A: Soros was honored for his support of organizations and projects that strengthen democracy, human rights, education, and social justice.
Q: Who is Robert Francis Kennedy, and why was he posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom?
A: RFK was a former US attorney-general and presidential candidate who was assassinated in 1968. He was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his legacy of justice, equality, and public service.