Biden’s awarding of Presidential Medal of Freedom to Soros sparks backlash

Biden's award to Soros sparks criticism from conservatives, including Bannon and Musk.

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The Biden administration’s decision to award billionaire investor and Democratic mega-donor George Soros the Presidential Medal of Freedom has sparked strong reactions from conservative commentators.

Former Trump adviser Steve Bannon called for the incoming Trump administration to rescind the medal, describing the decision as a disgrace. On his War Room podcast, Bannon criticized Soros as a “demonic individual” who he claimed had worked to undermine the United States and its constitution.

Bannon suggested that the medal should be “ripped” from Soros’s neck

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Steve Bannon's WarRoom (@bannonswarroom)

Fox News host Rachel Campos-Duffy also voiced criticism, claiming the award was given to individuals who had “destroyed freedom.” Co-host Joe Concha called Soros the “most evil man on the planet.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk also criticized the decision, calling it a "travesty" on the social media platform X.

Photo: @elonmusk on X

Soros, 94, has long been a target of conservative pundits, particularly due to his significant financial contributions to Democratic causes and progressive candidates.

He has donated an estimated $32 billion over the years, supporting causes such as voting rights and criminal justice reform.

The decision to honor Soros was also met with criticism on social media, where some compared it to awarding a medal to the fictional Star Wars villain Emperor Palpatine.

However, others celebrated Soros's recognition. Voting rights activist Stacey Abrams expressed her gratitude for Soros’s contributions to voting rights and economic opportunity, emphasizing his commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Soros’s son, Alex Soros, also expressed pride in the honor, highlighting his father’s lifelong commitment to freedom and human rights.

Alex Soros accepted the award on behalf of his father during the ceremony on Saturday at the White House. In his introduction, President Biden praised Soros for his generosity, which he said exemplifies the “capacity and obligation to stand up to the abuse of power” and protect democracy.

Photo: @AlexanderSoros on X

Other recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom at the ceremony included Bono, Hillary Clinton, Earvin “Magic” Johnson, and Michael J. Fox.