President Joe Biden will present the nation’s highest civilian honour to more than a dozen prominent figures, including politicians and cultural icons, the White House announced on Saturday. Among those who would be awarded by the outgoing President is global manipulator George Soros and career Democrat Hillary Clinton, the former presidential candidate who lost to Trump in 2016.
According to a White House news release, the medal is awarded to individuals who have made “outstanding contributions” to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace, or other significant public or private endeavours.
“These 19 Americans are exceptional leaders who have made the country a better place,” the statement read. “They are remarkable not just for their leadership but for their character and their extraordinary impact on the nation and the world.”
George Soros, 94, has been one of the most significant financial supporters of the Democratic Party in recent history. Federal Election Commission records show that the Hungarian-born hedge fund billionaire contributed over $175 million to Democratic candidates during the 2022 midterm elections. In 2024, Soros directed an additional $60 million toward House and Senate Democrats and other contentious causes through his Democracy PAC.
Soros has also transferred tens of billions of dollars from his fortune to his Open Society Foundations, a front that is accused of engineering regime change operations around the world—something which the United States has been often accused of indulging in—in countries where governments don’t toe the American line. Additionally, Soros has made substantial investments in local races to elect district attorneys in major U.S. cities.
The White House praised Soros as “a philanthropist who established the Open Society Foundations over 40 years ago” and noted that his foundation network has funded initiatives worldwide aimed at promoting democracy, human rights, education, and social justice. It is worth noting that Soros’ Open Society Foundations has come under the scanner for routinely funding anti-India activities and advancing anti-India narratives, which are aimed at undermining the democratically elected government headed by PM Modi.
Hillary Clinton, 77, will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom nearly 12 years after her husband, former President Bill Clinton, was honoured with the award by President Barack Obama. The White House described the former first lady, secretary of state, and New York senator as someone who has “made history numerous times over her decades of public service.”
In 2016, Clinton was the Presidential nominee for the Democrat Party. Her attempt to become the country’s first female president ended in defeat when President-elect Donald Trump won the 2016 election. Clinton faced an FBI investigation over her use of a private email server while serving in the Obama administration.
Among other honourees are chef José Andrés, who operates World Central Kitchen and provides food relief in disaster and conflict zones; scientist Jane Goodall; and science communicator Bill Nye, known for his popular show Bill Nye the Science Guy.
The ceremony will also recognize entertainment, sports, and cultural icons such as U2’s Bono, actors Michael J. Fox and Denzel Washington, soccer star Lionel Messi, basketball legend Magic Johnson, and fashion leaders Anna Wintour and Ralph Lauren.
