In a move that has sparked heated debate, Joe Biden is set to award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to two highly controversial figures: former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and billionaire financier George Soros. The announcement comes as Biden enters his final days in office, marking a dramatic close to his presidency.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the nation’s highest civilian honor, intended to recognize individuals who have made “exemplary contributions” to America’s prosperity, values, or security, as well as significant achievements in world peace or societal endeavors. While the White House praised this year’s nominees as “great leaders who have made America a better place,” the inclusion of Soros has been met with widespread criticism.
🚨 JUST IN: Joe Biden has just awarded George Soros the Presidential Medal of Freedom
George Soros is one of the most evil men in the world, who has caused COUNTLESS innocent Americans to suffer and perish due to Soros installing woke, pro-crime DAs across the country.
He hates… pic.twitter.com/zXp2CUG3Bn
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) January 4, 2025
Soros, whose Open Society Foundations have funneled over $32 billion into left-wing causes worldwide, is a polarizing figure. His funding of progressive district attorneys in major U.S. cities has drawn sharp rebukes from conservatives, who blame him for policies they say have fueled rising crime. Elon Musk joined the chorus of criticism, calling Biden’s decision “a travesty” and describing Soros as a “threat to humanity” during a recent podcast appearance.
Clinton’s nomination has also raised eyebrows. While her supporters hail her decades of public service, including her tenure as Secretary of State, her critics point to controversies surrounding her handling of classified information and the Benghazi attack as reasons why the honor is undeserved.
The full list of 19 medal recipients includes a mix of cultural, scientific, and political figures. Among them are actor Denzel Washington, U2’s Bono, and soccer superstar Lionel Messi. Posthumous awards will go to Robert F. Kennedy and Jane Goodall, among others. The ceremony took place on Saturday, following Biden’s earlier bestowal of the medal on former Reps. Liz Cheney and Bennie Thompson for their work on the January 6 Committee—a committee accused by critics of politicizing its mission and promoting manipulated evidence.
This slate of honorees appears to reflect Biden’s ideological commitments as he prepares to leave the White House. For conservatives, however, the recognition of figures like Soros and Clinton feels more like a political provocation than a unifying gesture. As the clock winds down on his presidency, Biden’s choices for the Medal of Freedom underscore the deep divisions that have defined his time in office.