Here's Why These People Received The Presidential Medal of Freedom 2025

You might be wondering why Magic Johnson or Hillary Clinton (of all people) received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Joe Biden on January 4th, 2025.

We were wondering the same thing, so we compiled a list of all the people and the supposed reasons for receiving the award. Keep reading to find out why each of these 19 "leaders" won the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

What is the Presidential Medal of Freedom?

Some of the international readers might not know what this award is, so let's break it down. The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest award a civilian in the United States can receive from the government. Basically, it honours a civilian's contribution to the US country.

The criteria to receive the medal is one of the following: "SEC. 2. Award of the Medal. (a) The Medal may be awarded by the President as provided in this order to any person who has made an especially meritorious contribution to (1) the security or national interests of the United States, or (2) world peace, or (3) cultural or other significant public or private endeavors." – Executive Order 11085.

Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipients, 2025

Below is the full list of recipients published by The White House, keep reading to find out what each of these people did.

You can watch the full live event.

José Andrés

Known for his work in humanitarianism through his organization, World Central Kitchen (WCK), which has served more than 450 million meals to people impacted by crises worldwide since it's founding in 2010. The WCK has helped in Haiti, Ukraine and most recently in Gaza where seven WCK workers were killed by multiple Israeli military airstrikes. Andrés stated the seven workers were "targeted deliberately" and killed "systematically, car by car."

Bono

Bono is the first of three people on this list that received this award for fighting...AIDS. Not only is Bono being recognised for his music (U2) but also for his extensive philanthropy, including his work with ONE Campaign and (RED). The ONE Campaign fights social injustice, here's a direct quote from their website, "We helped secure $72 billion to help more people access healthcare and life-saving tools like vaccines."

(RED) is an organization designed to fight AIDS, mostly in African nations. This is not to undermine Bono's work, but it's import to remember that woke advocacy or scientific experimentation is often the Trojan Horse behind a lot of these medical charities.

Ashton Baldwin Carter (posthumously)

Ashton Baldwin Carter served as the U.S. Secretary of Defense under Barack Obama. He passed away in 2022. It's understood why Carter received the award, presumably it was for his contribution to national security and defense policy.

Carter appeared to be a war hawk, reading from his Wikipedia, he was a supporter of the invasion of Iraq, and he advocated invading North Korea and Iran. Carter wanted to increase U.S. military aid to Ukraine and considered deployment of ground-launched cruise missiles in EU against Russia.

Hillary Rodham Clinton

It's shocking that Hillary Clinton received The Presidential Medal of Freedom for her political career, but it's even more laughable how her career was described at the ceremony. “[Clinton's] career has been dedicated to an eternal truth: America’s ideals are sacred and we must always defend and live by them.”

This statement couldn't be further from the truth. Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State under Obama was involved in some of the biggest scandals of the administration. Benghazi and the deletion of 32,000 emails following a subpoena from Congress.

Michael J. Fox

Known for his acting career, Fox has also been a prominent advocate for Parkinson's disease research, having been diagnosed with the condition himself. His foundation has raised significant funds and awareness for Parkinson's research.

Tim Gill

Tim Gill, the founder of software company Quark, has been awarded the US Presidential Medal of Freedom for his LGBTQ+ activism. Gill, who is openly gay, is the single largest individual donor to the LGBTQ+ rights movement. One of the main reasons Tim Gill was gifted the award was for his fight against HIV-AIDS. Gill is married to Scott Miller, the U.S. ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein.

Jane Goodall

Jane Goodall received the award for her "groundbreaking" research that transformed what we know about primates and human evolution. Goodall's efforts in environmental education and advocacy for wildlife conservation are globally recognized.

Fannie Lou Hamer (posthumously)

A key figure in the civil rights movement, Hamer was instrumental in fighting for voting rights for African Americans. Her work with the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party was pivotal in advancing racial justice and securing the 1965 Voting Rights Act.

Earvin "Magic" Johnson

Earvin Johnson was a professional basketball player, but he is most notably known for his work post-retirement in HIV/AIDS awareness and education, particularly after his own diagnosis, which helped destigmatize the disease. It's weird how AIDS and AIDS advocacy is so important to this administration.

Robert Francis Kennedy (posthumously)

Robert Francis Kennedy is the father of Bobby Kennedy Jr., and a former U.S. Senator and Attorney General. He is thought to have been assassinated by the deep state like his brother, President John F. Kennedy. There to receive the award on behalf of her father was Kerry Kennedy, she is the sister of RFK Jr.

Kerry Kennedy and her siblings have publicly distanced themselves from RFK Jr.'s political stances. Specifically, they issued a statement in August condemning his endorsement of Donald Trump, viewing it as a "betrayal of the values that our father and our family hold most dear." Bobby Kennedy has yet to release a statement about the award gifted to his late father.

Ralph Lauren

The famous Jewish fashion designer, Ralph Lauren, was also gifted the award, for his impact on culture, business, and philanthropy, notably in the fight against cancer. Ralph Lauren holds special significance to the Biden family. Joe Biden wore Ralph Lauren to his inauguration, and Jill Biden has often been photographed wearing the brand's designs.

Lionel Messi

Widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, Messi's inclusion might reflect not just his sporting achievements but, also his contributions to charity and his role as a cultural ambassador through sports. Messi did not attend the ceremony, Inter Miami told USA Today, Messi was unable to attend due to a scheduling conflict and prior commitments.

William Sanford Nye (Bill Nye)

Known as "Bill Nye the Science Guy," Nye has made significant contributions to science education. Bill Nye was/is a big advocate for the Covid vaccines, famously pushing them on children. He also an advocate for depopulation (among whites) and gender-affirming care.

George W. Romney

Former Governor of Michigan and Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Romney's work in politics, particularly in civil rights and urban development, likely contributed to his recognition. Mitt Romney accepted the award on behalf of his late father.

David M. Rubenstein

David Rubenstein, now that's a man with a name you can trust. Rubenstein is the billionaire owner of the Baltimore Orioles (MLB) and the co-founder of the Carlyle Group, a global investment firm. He is a major donor to American universities and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.

George Soros

Hard to believe George Soros is on this list. Soros received the award for his organization the Open Society Foundations, which advocates progressive agendas and globalism. Soros (Jewish) famously pretended to be a Christian during WWII and took inventory of the confiscated belongings of other Hungarian Jews. George Soros and his society largely been behind the global illegal immigrant invasion that has affected the Western world.

George Stevens Jr.

George Stevens Jr. is a largely unknown filmmaker, he helped produce The Diary of Anne Frank and Separate but Equal. He is better known for being one of the founding members of the American Film Institute.

Denzel Washington

Denzel Washington is an acclaimed actor, director, and producer whose performances have entertained and brought attention to social issues. He has also served as National Spokesman for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America for over 25 years.

Anna Wintour

Anna Wintour is the editor-in-chief of Vogue, and has significantly influenced fashion and culture. Her work in charity, particularly through the Met Gala, which raises funds for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute.

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