Hillary Clinton, George Soros and Denzel Washington will receive the highest US civilian honor
Share and Follow


WASHINGTON (AP) — Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Democratic philanthropist George Soros and actor-director Denzel Washington will be awarded the nation’s highest civilian honor on Saturday in a White House ceremony.

President Joe Biden will bestow the Presidential Medal of Freedom to 19 of the most famous names in politics, sports, entertainment, civil rights, LGBTQ+ advocacy and science.

The White House said the recipients have made “exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace, or other significant societal, public or private endeavors.”

Four medals are to be awarded posthumously. They are going to Fannie Lou Hamer, who founded the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party and laid the groundwork for the 1965 Voting Rights Act; former Attorney General and Sen. Robert F. Kennedy; George W. Romney, who served as both a Michigan governor and secretary of housing and urban development; and Ash Carter, a former secretary of defense.

Kennedy is father to Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for health and human services secretary. Romney is the father of former Utah Republican Sen. Mitt Romney, one of Trump’s strongest conservative critics.

Major philanthropists receiving the award include Spanish American chef José Andrés, whose World Central Kitchen charity has become one of the world’s most recognized food relief organizations, and Bono, the frontman for rock band U2 and a social justice activist.

Sports and entertainment stars being recognized include professional soccer player Lionel Messi; retired Los Angeles Lakers basketball legend and businessman Earvin “Magic” Johnson; actor Michael J. Fox, who is an outspoken advocate for Parkinson’s disease research and development; and William Sanford Nye, known to generations of students as “Bill Nye the Science Guy.”

Other awardees include conservationist Jane Goodall; longtime Vogue Magazine editor-in-chief Anna Wintour; American fashion designer Ralph Lauren; American Film Institute founder George Stevens Jr.; entrepreneur and LGBTQ+ activist Tim Gill; and David Rubenstein, co-founder of The Carlyle Group global investment firm.

Last year, Biden bestowed the Presidential Medal of Freedom on 19 people, including the late Medgar Evers, House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, Rep. James Clyburn of South Carolina and actor Michelle Yeoh.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like

Golden Gate Park’s Spectacular Holiday Light Display Illuminates the Season with Joy

SAN FRANCISCO – Golden Gate Park has become a spectacle of enchantment,…

Volusia County Sheriff Warns Shoppers: Holiday Season Sees Surge in Fraud Cases

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – With the holiday shopping season in full swing,…

Constructive Florida Talks Signal Progress in Ending Russia-Ukraine Conflict, Says US

A White House representative announced on Sunday that he engaged in “productive…

Lawmakers Demand Transparency as DOJ Faces Scrutiny Over Epstein Files Release

Lawmakers from both parties are clashing over possible repercussions for Department of…

Young Mattoon Prodigy Crafts NFL QB’s Charity Cleat Design: A Heartwarming Tale

MATTOON, Ill. (WCIA) — An inspiring young artist from Mattoon is making…

Discover Which Fast-Food Chains and Restaurants Will Open Their Doors on Christmas Day 2025

For those planning to travel or simply avoiding the traditional Christmas dinner…

Asian Markets Surge Following US Stock Rally in Holiday-Shortened Trading Week

Asian markets generally experienced an upward trend on Tuesday, following a positive…

Orlando Special Needs Baseball League Unveils New Safe Field Thanks to Generous Community Donations

ORLANDO, Fla. – In a heartwarming turn of events, the Central Florida…