The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the United States of America’s highest civilian honour, and “it is presented to individuals who have made exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the world, world peace and other significant societal, public or private endeavors”, the White House Official Statement says.
On Saturday, President Joe Biden awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to 19 politicians, philanthropists, and cultural, sports and fashion icons, including former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Hollywood actors Denzel Washington and Michael J. Fox, conservationist Jane Goodall, science educator Bill Nye, basketball legend "Magic" Johnson, rockstar and activist U2 frontman Bono along with fashion icons Anna Wintour and Ralph Lauren, chef and activist Jose Andres and philanthropist and megadonor George Soros.
President Biden - himself a recipient, having been presented with the medal by then-President Barack Obama in the closing days of the Obama Administration – said “For the final time as president I have the honour of bestowing the Medal of Freedom (…) to a group of extraordinary — truly extraordinary people who gave their sacred effort to shape the culture and the cause of America.”
“President Biden believes great leaders keep the faith, give everyone a fair shot, and put decency above all else,” the White House Official Statement says. “These nineteen individuals are great leaders who have made America a better place. They are great leaders because they are good people who have made extraordinary contributions to their country and the world.”
Two noticeable American political figures were posthumously honoured: former Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy and former Michigan Governor George Romney - the father of former Senator Mitt Romney.
Kerry Kennedy accepted the award on her father’s behalf. As Kennedy pointed out the family members in the crowd, President Biden joked, “Anyone not a Kennedy, stand up.” Mitt Romney likewise accepted the honour on behalf of his father.
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who was joined by her husband, former President Bill Clinton, received a standing ovation during the ceremony Saturday.
The president’s decision to honour Hillary Clinton caps off a long history of mutual admiration between the two Democratic leaders and comes after the Clintons honoured Biden with the Clinton Global Citizen Award in a surprise ceremony in New York last September. Accepting the award, an emotional Biden thanked the former secretary of state “for the way you have helped me, the way you’ve spoken up for me with such passion.”
“I can’t tell you, you can ask Jill, I — anyway, I love you. I love you,” Biden said.
The president also recognized George Soros, the liberal megadonor who the White House says “has supported organizations, and projects across the world that strengthen democracy, human rights, education, and social justice,” and famed Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour, who hosted political fundraisers for the Biden campaign.
Design industry titan, Ralph Lauren was also among the honourees Saturday. Lauren’s clothing has long been a favourite of the Biden family, including first lady Jill Biden, who wore a Ralph Lauren design on the cover of Vogue in August, and first granddaughter Naomi Biden, who wore a Ralph Lauren dress for her White House wedding in 2022.
Celebrity chef, humanitarian and outspoken Trump critic José Andrés was recognized for his work with the World Central Kitchen, which the White House says “has revolutionized the way food aid reaches communities affected by natural disasters and conflict around the world.”
In entertainment, actors Michael J. Fox and Denzel Washington were honored, along with retired NBA player Earvin “Magic” Johnson. When Biden put Johnson’s medal on him, the 6-foot-9 basketball star crouched down, drawing laughter from the crowd.
Two honourees were not in attendance Saturday: soccer superstar Lionel Messi, who the White House said had “scheduling conflicts” did not attend the ceremony. Messi still received his award, the White House said.
George Soros also was not present. His son Alex accepted it in his place.
Bono Vox, U2 singer and humanitarian, who last year joined Jill Biden in her box at the State of the Union address, and was recognized for his work fighting AIDS and building support for the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, was also amongst the honourees.
In the field of science, Biden recognized Planetary Society CEO and television host Bill Nye and world-famous conservationist Jane Goodall.
LGBT advocate Tim Gill, private equity leader David Rubenstein, and American Film Institute and Kennedy Center Honors founder George Stevens Jr., rounding out the list of honorees.
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