WASHINGTON, Jan 4, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Joe Biden on Saturday will award the 
Presidential Medal of Freedom to 19 honorees, bestowing the highest civilian 
honor in the United States to entertainers, sports stars, politicians and 
diplomats.

Among those to receive honors from the outgoing US president are singer and 
activist Bono, basketball legend Earvin "Magic" Johnson, longtime fashion 
editor Anna Wintour, soccer superstar Lionel Messi, actors Denzel Washington 
and Michael J. Fox, and fashion designer Ralph Lauren.

The honorees "are great leaders because they are good people who have made 
extraordinary contributions to their country and the world," the White House 
said in a statement.

Others honored in this year's crop are chef Jose Andres, founder of the World 
Central Kitchen NGO, and primate researcher Jane Goodall, a leading 
environmentalist voice.

Some of the recipients selected by the 82-year-old Democrat have a more 
political profile, such as billionaire financier and left-wing philanthropist 
George Soros -- a boogeyman of sorts for Republicans -- and Hillary Clinton, 
the former first lady, senator and US secretary of state who unsuccessfully 
ran against Donald Trump for the presidency in 2016.

Soros was honored because he "has supported organizations, and projects 
across the world that strengthen democracy, human rights, education and 
social justice," according to a White House statement.

Clinton, meanwhile, "made history many times over decades in public service," 
including being the first woman nominated by a major party for a US 
presidential election.

- Bobby Kennedy -

Biden also chose to posthumously award a Presidential Medal of Freedom to 
Robert Francis Kennedy, better known as "Bobby" Kennedy or his initials, 
"RFK."

RFK served as US attorney general while his brother John F. Kennedy was 
president, and was assassinated in 1968 while campaigning for the Democratic 
presidential nomination.

"His legacy continues to inspire those committed to justice, equality, and 
public service," Biden said in a statement.

RFK was also the father of Robert Kennedy Jr., "RFK Jr.", a vaccine skeptic 
who has been tapped by president-elect Donald Trump to be the next Secretary 
of Health and Human Services.

Biden's selections for the Medal of Freedom illustrate a desire to leave one 
final mark before leaving office.

On Thursday, in another slight to Trump, Biden awarded a Presidential 
Citizens Medal to Liz Cheney, a former Republican congresswoman from Wyoming 
who sat on the house panel investigating the January 6, 2021 insurrection on 
the US Capitol.

Trump expressed his indignation at the move Friday, calling Cheney, a 
daughter of former US vice president Dick Cheney, "totally corrupt" and wrote 
on Truth Social that "Biden rewarded her only because she hated "'TRUMP.'"