President Joe Biden has revealed his final selection of Presidential Medal of Freedom recipients in a move that appeared to be a subtle dig at the MAGA movement. In a controversial decision, Biden also chose to award individuals who have connections to his family’s wealthy supporters.
The list of recipients set to be honored with the prestigious civilian award includes notable figures such as Hillary Clinton, the former first lady, senator, and secretary of State. Clinton famously ran against President-elect Donald Trump in the 2016 election.
In a further demonstration of his choices, Biden will present the Medal of Freedom to George Soros, widely recognized as a significant figure among Democratic donors, as well as restaurateur Jose Andres. Andres made headlines when he withdrew from a project involving a Trump hotel following controversial remarks made by the then-Republican candidate on immigration, leading to a lengthy legal dispute.
Soros is getting the award, the White House said, due to his foundation’s work to ‘strengthen democracy, human rights, education, and social justice.’
Andres is being awarded the distinction due to his charity World Central Kitchen’s efforts to feed people in war zones and in the aftermath of natural disasters.
‘A proud immigrant dedicated to building longer tables, his World Central Kitchen has revolutionized the way food aid reaches communities affected by natural disasters and conflict around the world,’ the White House said.
The 82-year-old will give a posthumous award to Robert F. Kennedy, the late attorney general, senator and Democratic presidential candidate who was assassinated in 1968.
RFK is the father of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who ran for president against Biden, then ran as an independent, and finally joined forces with Trump. Trump has since nominated RFK Jr. – a prominent anti-vaxxer – to serve as his Health and Human Services secretary.
President Joe Biden trolled MAGA with his final list of Presidential Medal of Freedom recipients – while also awarding some of his family’s wealthy benefactors
Among those receiving Presidential Medals of Freedom on Saturday are Hillary Clinton (left), President-elect Donald Trump’s 2016 White House rival and George Soros (right), the Democratic superdonor that Republicans have turned into a boogeyman
The White House did not respond to DailyMail.com’s inquiry on whether RFK Jr. was invited with other family members to the ceremony.
President Joe Biden will honor the late Robert F. Kennedy, who was assassinated in 1968. His son, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has been tapped to serve as President-elect Donald Trump’s Health and Human Services secretary
Biden will also posthumously honor former Michigan Gov. George Romney, who also served as the country’s third secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
George Romney is the late father of former Republican Sen. Mitt Romney, the GOP’s 2012 presidential nominee who became a vocal Trump critic.
Romney concluded his single term in the U.S. Senate this week after twice voting to convict Trump on impeachment charges.
Biden will also present awards to benefactors who’ve been good to him.
Billionaire philanthropist David Rubenstein will receive the honor – after letting the Bidens use his Nantucket waterfront home every Thanksgiving the Democrat was in the White House.
Rubeinstein has also poured his millions into American cultural institutions – helping firm up the Washington Monument, provide for the panda program at Smithsonian’s National Zoo and purchase a copy of the Magna Carta that was at auction.
Fashion designer Ralph Lauren will be presented with the award.
Restaurateur Jose Andres, who pulled out of a Trump hotel project due to the Republican’s anti-immigrant comments, will be given a Presidential Medal of Freedom for his valiant work at World Central Kitchen. He dressed up like Santa Claus at a recent event in Paiporta, Spain
Michigan Gov. George Romney (left) will be honored posthumously. He’s photographed with his son Mitt Romney (right), the 2012 Republican presidential nominee, a former Massachusetts governor and outgoing Utah senator who was a top Trump critic
Fashion designer Ralph Lauren will be honored by President Joe Biden on Saturday. He designed Naomi Biden’s wedding dress for her November 2022 White House wedding
Billionaire philanthropist David Rubenstein will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom on Saturday. He’s donated millions to American cultural institutions. He also let the Bidens borrow his Nantucket waterfront home every year the Democrat has been in the White House
He designed granddaughter Naomi’s wedding dress for her November 2022 White House wedding.
Lauren is receiving the award, the White House said, as he ‘has influenced culture, business, and philanthropy, notably in the fight against cancer and the preservation of the Star-Spangled Banner.’
Anna Wintour – who oversaw a glamorous Vogue spread of said White House wedding – is also on the list.
She’s long been associated with Democratic causes and hosted fundraiser for Biden while he was still running in the 2024 campaign.
‘A champion for philanthropic causes, she is also the leading architect behind the annual Met Gala fundraiser and chief content officer of Condé Nast,’ the White House said.
A number of Hollywood types are also included on the list.
Actor Denzel Washington will receive the award, as will U2 frontman Bono – who’s done a lot of work in the HIV/AIDS space.
Back to the Future star Michael J. Fox – who actually supported Biden rival Pete Buttigieg’s 2020 presidential bid – will also receive the distinction.
Michael J. Fox (left) and Denzel Washington (right) will receive Presidential Medals of Freedom on Saturday. Fox actually backed the primary campaign of now Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg who ran against Biden in the 2020 presidential cycle
Former Secretary of Defense Ash Carter (right) will be honored posthumously during Saturday’s ceremony. The Vice President Joe Biden (top left) went viral for rubbing Stephanie Carter’s (bottom left) shoulders during Carter’s 2015 swearing-in ceremony
‘He is a world-renowned advocate for Parkinson’s disease research and development,’ the White House said.
Bill Nye the Science Guy will also receive the award, along with conservationist Dr. James Goodall.
From the athletic world, soccer star Lionel Messi and Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson will be honored.
Tim Gill will receive it for advancing LBGTQ rights.
Fannie Lou Hamer will be honored posthumously for her civil rights work in the segregated south.
Co-creator of the Kennedy Center Honors, George Stevens, Jr., will also receive the award from the president.
Additionally the late Secretary of Defense Ash Carter will be honored posthumously.
Biden memorably went viral for rubbing Stephanie Carter’s shoulders and whispering in her ear during a 2015 swearing-in ceremony for Ash Carter – picked to be President Barack Obama’s secretary of Defense.
She later vouched for Biden and said she wasn’t offending, saying the rubdown was a ‘means of offering his support.’
