Lionel Messi, Denzel Washington, Ralph Lauren Among 19 Honourees To Receive United States Highest Civilian Honour From Biden

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On Saturday, President Joe Biden will present the Presidential Medal of Freedom to 19 distinguished individuals, recognizing them with the United States’ highest civilian honor.

The recipients include entertainers, athletes, politicians, and diplomats.

Among those being honored by the outgoing president are singer and activist Bono, basketball icon Earvin “Magic” Johnson, longtime fashion editor Anna Wintour, soccer legend Lionel Messi, actors Denzel Washington and Michael J. Fox, and renowned fashion designer Ralph Lauren.

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The honorees “are great leaders because they are good people who have made extraordinary contributions to their country and the world,” the White House said in a statement.

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This year’s honorees also include chef José Andrés, founder of the World Central Kitchen NGO, and primate researcher Jane Goodall, a prominent environmental advocate.

Among the recipients chosen by the 82-year-old Democrat, some have a more political profile. These include billionaire financier and left-wing philanthropist George Soros—often portrayed as a boogeyman by Republicans—and Hillary Clinton, the former first lady, senator, and U.S. secretary of state, who lost her presidential bid to Donald Trump in 2016.

Soros was honored because he “has supported organizations, and projects across the world that strengthen democracy, human rights, education and social justice,” according to a White House statement.

Clinton, meanwhile, “made history many times over decades in public service,” including being the first woman nominated by a major party for a US presidential election.

Biden also decided to posthumously bestow the Presidential Medal of Freedom upon Robert Francis Kennedy, widely known as “Bobby” Kennedy or by his initials, “RFK.”

RFK served as U.S. Attorney General during his brother John F. Kennedy’s presidency and was tragically assassinated in 1968 while running for the Democratic presidential nomination.

“His legacy continues to inspire those committed to justice, equality, and public service,” Biden said in a statement.

Robert F. Kennedy (RFK) was the father of Robert Kennedy Jr., also known as “RFK Jr.,” a well-known vaccine skeptic who has been nominated by President-elect Donald Trump to serve as the next Secretary of Health and Human Services.

President Biden’s recent selections for the Medal of Freedom reflect his intention to leave a lasting legacy before stepping down from office.

On Thursday, Biden further targeted Trump by awarding the Presidential Citizens Medal to Liz Cheney, a former Republican congresswoman from Wyoming. Cheney had served on the House committee investigating the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Trump responded with outrage on Friday, calling Cheney, the daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney, “totally corrupt.” He posted on Truth Social, accusing Biden of honoring Cheney solely because of her animosity toward him.