'Honoring America's deadbeats': Biden has internet fuming as allies including Nancy Pelosi get Presidential Medal of Freedom
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: The White House announced the names of 19 recipients of the annual Presidential Medal of Freedom for 2024 on Friday, May 3. However, many of those who were honored by Joe Biden with the highest civilian award in the United States happen to be his Democratic allies, reported Fox News.
"The Presidential Medal of Freedom, our nation's highest civilian award — we the people doing what we can to ensure the idea of America, the cause of freedom, shines like the sun to light up the future of the world," said Biden of the honor. He had himself received the honor from then-President Barack Obama while serving as his vice-president on January 12, 2017.
Who are the recipients of the 2024 Presidential Medal of Freedom?
The allies of President Biden whose names featured on the recipient roster include former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, former Vice-President Al Gore, and former Secretary of State John Kerry. The honor was also bestowed upon Democratic Rep Jim Clyburn of South Carolina, who gave Biden a critical endorsement in the primary race back in 2020, according to Fox.
The second major group of honorees was civil rights leaders, among them LGBTQ activist Judy Shepard, Juneteenth recognition advocate Opal Lee, lawyer Clarence Jones, and Mississippi civil rights leader Medgar Evers. United Farm Workers president Teresa Romero, and Catholic priest and anti-gang ministry organizer Father Greg Boyle received the medal as well.
Talk-show host Phil Donahue, Olympian Katie Ledecky, Malaysian actress Michelle Yeoh, astronomer Jane Rigby, and former NASA Johnson Space Center director Ellen Ochoa were the other recipients of the year, along with former Sen Elizabeth Dole, who served in the cabinets of Presidents Ronald Reagan and George HW Bush. Dole was the only Republican lawmaker who was awarded this year.
The roster further included two posthumous award winners - Jim Thorpe, the first American Indian Olympic gold medalist, and late Democratic Senator Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey.
Join me as I present the Presidential Medal of Freedom to individuals who have made exemplary contributions to the country. https://t.co/FutSp8xRRs
— President Biden (@POTUS) May 3, 2024
Internet says Joe Biden gave Presidential medals to his 'caregivers
The internet slammed the White House for bestowing the honor on Biden's allies.
"This award has been rendered meaningless," wrote a user.
"allies awarded for what??? hmmm fishy," expressed another.
"Give me a break," stated a third.
"Why . Oh wait they are biden’s caregiver," jibed a fourth.
One user said, "'Honoring America's deadbeats"
"Slap in the face to those in US History that actually deserved the honor," commented a fifth user.
Slap in the face to those in U.S. History that actually deserved the honor.
— Jay R Hoke (@J1BadDad1) May 3, 2024
"They give that out to anybody," chided a sixth.
This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.
