Biden awards the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Hillary Clinton and others

US President Joe Biden awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, chef Jose Andres, actor Michael J. Fox, and environmentalist Jane Goodall on Saturday in one of his final official acts in office.

Among the most notable recipients of the medal is Chef José Andrés, founder of the World Central Kitchen charity, which has fed dozens of people in conflict zones, including in Gaza, where some of its aid workers were killed last year.

Biden, who leaves the White House on January 20, when President-elect Donald Trump takes office, also awarded what is considered America’s highest civilian honor to Bono, the human rights activist, U2 singer, fashion designer Ralph Lauren, and “Science Guy” Bill Nye. , actor Denzel Washington, basketball star Earvin “Magic” Johnson, and Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour.

Biden also awarded the medal to the famous Argentine football player Lionel Messi, who did not attend the ceremony due to a scheduling conflict. Biden also awarded the medal to American investor and billionaire George Soros, but he did not attend the ceremony and his son Alex received it instead.

Others to receive the medal include the late civil rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer, Ash Carter, former Secretary of Defense, and Robert F. Kennedy. Kennedy, the late senator and brother of the late President John F. Kennedy. Kennedy and George Romney, the businessman and former Michigan governor whose son Mitt Romney received the medal on his behalf.

Biden described the Medal of Freedom recipients as a group of “truly exceptional people” whose efforts shaped America’s cause and culture.