Billionaire entrepreneur CEO of Tesla, Elon Musk, publicly took a dig at US President Joe Biden’s decision to award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to billionaire philanthropist George Soros.
“A travesty that Biden is giving Soros the Medal of Freedom,” Musk stated bluntly on X.
Soros among 19 recipients
Musk’s blunt criticism came after Soros, the founder of the Open Society Foundations, was named one of the 19 recipients of the prestigious award, recognized for his efforts in strengthening democracy, human rights, and social justice
Soros honored for his ‘initiatives to strengthen democracy, human rights…’: White House
Soros, a billionaire investor and founder of the Open Society Foundations, was honored for his “focus on global initiatives that strengthen democracy, human rights, education, and social justice,” according to a White House statement.
Other notable honorees included former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, football icon Lionel Messi, and actors Michael J. Fox and Denzel Washington, among others.
George Soros’ son, Alex Soros, accepted the award on his father’s behalf.
The selection of Soros has sparked strong backlash, particularly due to his long-standing support for Democratic causes and his frequent criticism by Republican leaders.
Critics, including Musk and various Republican figures, have characterized the award as politically motivated. President Biden, however, defended the recipients, asserting that they represent American values and contribute to the nation’s global influence.