Presidential Medal of Freedom 2025: On a crisp Saturday afternoon, February 4th, President Joe Biden awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to 19 distinguished individuals in a ceremony held in the East Room of the White House. This prestigious accolade, the highest civilian honor in the United States, recognizes exceptional contributions in various fields, including politics, sports, entertainment, civil rights, LGBTQ+ advocacy, and science.
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton received a standing ovation as she accepted the medal, with her husband, former President Bill Clinton, their daughter, and grandchildren present to support her. In a poignant moment, Democratic philanthropist George Soros and acclaimed actor and director Denzel Washington were also honored for their significant impacts on American society.
In his opening remarks, President Biden expressed heartfelt gratitude to the awardees. “For the last time as president, I have the honor of presenting the Medal of Freedom to a remarkable group of truly extraordinary people who have shaped America’s culture and its cause,” Biden said. He added, “Let me say to each of you, thank you, thank you, thank you for all you have done to help this country.”
Four individuals were honored posthumously: George W. Romney, former Michigan governor and Secretary of Housing and Urban Development; Robert F. Kennedy, former attorney general, and senator; Ash Carter, former Secretary of Defense; and Fannie Lou Hamer, a civil rights leader who founded the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party and played a pivotal role in the enactment of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. In his remarks, Biden paid special tribute to Kennedy, stating, “Bobby was one of my true political heroes. I loved him, and I miss him dearly.”
The ceremony saw a diverse array of honorees. Notable philanthropists like Spanish-American chef José Andrés, renowned for his World Central Kitchen charity, and U2 frontman Bono were among those celebrated. George Soros’ son, Alex Soros, accepted the medal on behalf of his father, who was unable to attend. In a statement, Soros expressed his gratitude, saying, “As an immigrant who found freedom and prosperity in the United States, I am deeply moved by this honor.”
Sports icons such as Lionel Messi, a professional soccer player; Earvin “Magic” Johnson, a retired Los Angeles Lakers legend; and Michael J. Fox, actor and advocate for Parkinson’s disease research, were also honored. The ceremony included a special mention of William Sanford Nye, better known as “Bill Nye the Science Guy,” for his contributions to science education.
President Biden’s last days in office have been marked by a series of award ceremonies, recognizing heroic veterans, law enforcement officers, and other outstanding Americans. The White House emphasized that the Medal of Freedom recipients have made “outstanding contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, to world peace, or other major social, public, or private causes.”
Reflecting on the legacy of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, past recipients include luminaries such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Maya Angelou, and Mother Teresa. With this latest ceremony, the total number of awardees since the medal’s inception in 1963 has reached 654, according to the Congressional Research Service.
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