President Biden to Honor Influential Figures with the Presidential Medal of Freedom
With just 16 days remaining in a political journey that has spanned over five decades, President Biden is poised to bestow one of the nation’s highest accolades, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, upon a select group of individuals who have significantly shaped the American landscape. This ceremony, set to take place on Saturday, will recognize core members of the political, financial, and celebrity establishment with whom Biden has long been associated.
As President-elect Donald J. Trump prepares to take office on January 20, he remains resolute in his mission to dismantle what he has frequently referred to as “the swamp.” During his 2016 campaign, Trump pledged to combat the entrenched interests in both political parties, asserting that they had “reaped the rewards of government while the people have borne the cost.”
In a poignant counter to Trump’s rhetoric, President Biden will honor 19 distinguished Americans, many of whom represent the very establishment that Trump has vowed to challenge. By doing so, the 82-year-old outgoing president is sending a strong message of solidarity for a democratic system that he believes is under threat from Trump’s administration.
- Among the notable figures receiving the prestigious award are:
- Hillary Clinton: The former first lady, senator, and secretary of state, whom Trump once threatened with imprisonment.
- Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: The son of the assassinated senator, who has controversially aligned himself with Trump.
- George Romney: The late father of Senator Mitt Romney, a Republican from Utah known for his vocal criticism of Trump’s policies and behavior.
In a tradition upheld by many presidents, Biden will also acknowledge some of his party’s most significant fundraisers. Notably, among the honorees is George Soros, the influential billionaire philanthropist who has often been portrayed by Republicans as the sinister puppet master of the Democratic Party.
Additionally, the ceremony will honor Anna Wintour, the prominent media executive and cultural icon. Wintour notably featured First Lady Jill Biden on the cover of Vogue twice during her husband’s administration while notably omitting Melania Trump during her husband’s tenure. Wintour has emerged as a leading fundraiser in the fashion industry, hosting numerous events for Biden’s re-election campaign in cities like London and Paris last year.
