Joe Biden honours Hillary Clinton, George Soros with Presidential Medal of Freedom

President Biden awards Presidential Medal of Freedom to Hillary Clinton, George Soros, and others, sparking controversy and praise.

Outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden on Saturday (January 4, 2025) presented U.S.' highest civilian award to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, controversial philanthropist George Soros, Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, scientist Bill Nye, and actor Denzel Washington along with 14 others with the country’s highest civilian award — the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Due to scheduling conflict, Argentinian football star Lionel Messi could not be present in person at the White House to receive the award from the U.S. president.

“For the final time as President, I have the honour of bestowing the Medal of Freedom on our nation's highest civilian honour 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,” Mr. Biden said at a glittering function in the East Room of the White House.

Former president Bill Clinton, several of his Cabinet members including Defense Secretary Loyd Austin along with several celebrities were present in the East Room of the White House during the awards ceremony Saturday afternoon.

“This group of people leave an incredible mark on our country with insight and influence that can be felt around the globe in major cities and remote areas of life, finding us closer as people and showing us that what's possible as a nation, nothing beyond our capacity,” Mr. Biden said.

“As cultural icons, … humanitarians, rock stars, sports stars, you feed the hungry, you give hope to those who are hurting, and you craft the signs and sounds of our movements and our memories. It's amazing, your innovation, you inspire, you bring healing and joy to so many lives otherwise wouldn't be touched. You answer the call to serve and lead others to do the same thing. You defend the values of America even when they're under attack, which they have been,” Mr. Biden said after which he presented the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Fannie Lou Hamer, who transformed the struggle for racial justice in America, Ashton Carter, who served as the 25th Secretary of Defense, Robert Francis Kennedy remembered as an Attorney General who fiercely combatted racial segregation, and George W Romney, a businessman who served as the chairman and president of American Motors Corporation, were awarded posthumously. The medals were received by their family members.