Biden to Honor Clinton, Messi & Denzel Washington with Top Civilian Award/ Newslooks/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Joe Biden will award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to 19 individuals, including Hillary Clinton, George Soros, and Denzel Washington, on Saturday. Honorees span politics, entertainment, philanthropy, and activism, with several posthumous awards recognizing historical figures.
Presidential Medal of Freedom: Quick Looks
- Top Honorees: Hillary Clinton, George Soros, and Denzel Washington lead the recipients.
- Posthumous Awards: Fannie Lou Hamer, Robert F. Kennedy, George W. Romney, and Ash Carter honored.
- Entertainment and Sports Icons: Lionel Messi, Magic Johnson, and Michael J. Fox among the awardees.
- Philanthropy and Advocacy: Chef José Andrés and U2’s Bono recognized for global humanitarian work.
- Event Details: Ceremony at the White House scheduled for 1 p.m. EST on Saturday.
Biden to Honor Clinton, Messi & Denzel Washington with Top Civilian Award
Deep Look
The White House will host a special ceremony Saturday as President Joe Biden presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to 19 recipients. The prestigious award, the highest civilian honor in the United States, celebrates individuals who have made outstanding contributions to American society and global progress.
Honorees in Politics and Civil Rights
Leading the list of honorees is former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, recognized for her decades of public service and advocacy for women’s rights. Democratic philanthropist George Soros, noted for his contributions to democracy and human rights, will also receive the medal.
The ceremony will posthumously honor several historic figures, including:
- Fannie Lou Hamer: Civil rights leader who founded the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party.
- Robert F. Kennedy: Former attorney general and senator, remembered for his dedication to civil rights and justice.
- George W. Romney: Former Michigan governor and HUD secretary, father of Senator Mitt Romney.
- Ash Carter: Former secretary of defense who modernized the Pentagon’s operations.
Stars of Entertainment and Sports
Awardees from entertainment and sports include:
- Denzel Washington: Renowned actor and director celebrated for his contributions to the arts.
- Lionel Messi: International soccer legend recognized for his achievements in sports.
- Magic Johnson: Retired NBA star and business leader.
- Michael J. Fox: Actor and advocate for Parkinson’s disease research.
Philanthropy and Activism
Humanitarian efforts are also in the spotlight, with awards going to:
- José Andrés: Chef and founder of World Central Kitchen, praised for disaster relief efforts.
- Bono: U2 frontman and social justice activist.
Other Honorees
Additional recipients include:
- Jane Goodall: Conservationist and primatologist.
- Bill Nye: Science educator known as “Bill Nye the Science Guy.”
- Anna Wintour: Editor-in-chief of Vogue and influential figure in fashion.
- Ralph Lauren: Iconic American fashion designer.
- Tim Gill: Entrepreneur and LGBTQ+ rights activist.
- George Stevens Jr.: Founder of the American Film Institute.
- David Rubenstein: Co-founder of The Carlyle Group and philanthropist.
Context and Legacy
The Presidential Medal of Freedom celebrates individuals whose work reflects the nation’s values. Last year’s honorees included civil rights leader Medgar Evers, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and actor Michelle Yeoh.
Saturday’s ceremony will begin at 1 p.m. EST and will be streamed live from the White House.
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