US President Joe Biden announced the 19 people who will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2025, and his choice of George Soros, a wealthy philanthropist, stirred a big reaction. Soros is praised for helping democracy and human rights, but many conservatives are upset about his award.
The disagreement began on the show Fox & Friends when host Rachel Campos-Duffy called Soros “the most evil man” and mentioned that Hillary Clinton was also getting the award. People like Tesla CEO Elon Musk joined in, saying the award was unfair and claiming Soros “fundamentally hates humanity.” Musk even shared a joke online comparing Soros to the villainous Darth Sidious from Star Wars.
Steve Bannon, a strong critic of Soros, labeled the award as “a badge of honour for a man who represents everything wrong with the current administration.” GOP leader Nikki Haley said it was “another slap in the face of America,” showing disappointment in Biden’s choices.
Supporters of Soros highlight his efforts through the Open Society Foundations to promote education, human rights, and democracy worldwide. The White House shared his inspiring story of escaping Nazi-occupied Hungary and turning into a social justice advocate. His son, Alexander Soros, called him “an American patriot who fights for freedom and human rights.”
However, critics say Soros uses his money to influence politics, especially his large donations to the Democratic Party. This has led to accusations that he is trying to change political outcomes and contribute to rising crime rates. He has faced backlash in countries like Hungary, Russia, and India for what some see as interference.
In India, Soros is controversial. BJP leader JP Nadda claimed that the Congress party is connected to organizations funded by Soros, suggesting that they are trying to cause trouble. Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said those claims are just distractions from real issues.
The online community reacted strongly as well. Donald Trump Jr. shared a video of a pizza delivery driver saving five children from a fire, saying that person deserved the Medal of Freedom more than Soros. For many conservatives, Soros receiving the award felt more about politics than true achievement.
Other honourees included Hillary Clinton, soccer star Lionel Messi, basketball legend Magic Johnson, actor Michael J. Fox, and singer Bono. Fannie Lou Hamer received a posthumous award for her civil rights activism.
In response to the backlash, President Biden defended the winners, stating, “These nineteen individuals are great leaders who have made extraordinary contributions to our country and the world. They defend the values of America, even when under attack.”
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