A motorcade carrying former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton approaches the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center where Ms. Clinton is scheduled to testify before U.S. House lawmakers as part of a congressional investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein on February 26, 2026 in Chappaqua, New York.
| Photo Credit: AP

President Joe Biden, right, presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Nation’s highest civilian honor, to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, in the East Room of the White House, on January 4, 2025.
| Photo Credit: AP

Outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden on Saturday (January 4, 2025) presented U.S.’ highest civilian award to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, controversial philanthropist George Soros, Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, scientist Bill Nye, and actor Denzel Washington along with 14 others with the country’s highest civilian award — the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Due to scheduling conflict, Argentinian football star Lionel Messi could not be present in person at the White House to receive the award from the U.S. president.

“For the final time as President, I have the honour of bestowing the Medal of Freedom on our nation’s highest civilian honour on a group of extraordinary, truly extraordinary people who gave their sacred effort, their sacred effort, to shape the culture and the cause of America,” Mr. Biden said at a glittering function in the East Room of the White House.

Former president Bill Clinton, several of his Cabinet members including Defense Secretary Loyd Austin along with several celebrities were present in the East Room of the White House during the awards ceremony Saturday afternoon.

“This group of people leave an incredible mark on our country with insight and influence that can be felt around the globe in major cities and remote areas of life, finding us closer as people and showing us that what’s possible as a nation, nothing beyond our capacity,” Mr. Biden said.

“As cultural icons, … humanitarians, rock stars, sports stars, you feed the hungry, you give hope to those who are hurting, and you craft the signs and sounds of our movements and our memories. It’s amazing, your innovation, you inspire, you bring healing and joy to so many lives otherwise wouldn’t be touched. You answer the call to serve and lead others to do the same thing. You defend the values of America even when they’re under attack, which they have been,” Mr. Biden said after which he presented the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Fannie Lou Hamer, who transformed the struggle for racial justice in America, Ashton Carter, who served as the 25th Secretary of Defense, Robert Francis Kennedy remembered as an Attorney General who fiercely combatted racial segregation, and George W Romney, a businessman who served as the chairman and president of American Motors Corporation, were awarded posthumously. The medals were received by their family members.

Hillary Clinton was the only recipient to get a standing ovation.

“As a lawyer, she defended the rights of children. As First Lady, she fought for universal health care and declared women’s rights are human rights. As Senator, she helped New York rebuild after September 11, 2001. As Secretary of State, she championed democracy worldwide. Her nomination for president broke barriers and inspired generations. Through it all, her career has been dedicated to an eternal truth. America’s ideals are sacred, and we must always defend and live by them,” a military aide read the citation as she was presented the medal by the president.

Alex Soros accepted the award on behalf of his father George Soros, an investor, philanthropist, and founder of the Open Society Foundations.

“The Presidential Medal of Freedom is awarded to George Soros. Born into a Jewish family in Hungary, George Soros escaped Nazi occupation to build a life of freedom for himself and countless others around the world. Educated in England, he settled in America as he became an investor and philanthropist supporting key pillars of open societies, rights and justice, equity and equality, freedom now and in the future,” said the citation as read by the military aid.

“As an immigrant who found freedom and prosperity in America, I am deeply moved by this honor,” George Soros in a statement. “I accept it on behalf of the many people around the world with whom the Open Society Foundations have made common cause over the past 40 years,” he said.

However, Mr. Biden was slammed by MAGA supporters and Republican leadership for giving the award to Soros. “Giving George Soros the Presidential Medal of Freedom is another slap in the face of America after reducing the sentences of murderers and pardoning his son. 16 days is a long time until the Inauguration. What is he capable of sliding in next? January 20th can’t come soon enough,” GOP leader Nikki Haley said.

“George Soros spent millions electing soft-on-crime politicians that let criminals wreak havoc in our major cities,” Montana Senator Tim Sheehy told The New York Post.

Alex who received the award on behalf of his father said his father is an American patriot who has spent his life fighting for freedom and human rights. “I am incredibly proud that his legacy is now recognized with our nation’s highest civilian honour. This award isn’t just about the work he’s done; as President Biden said, it is a call to action for all of us to fight for democracy on behalf of anyone yearning to be free,” he said.

US President Joe Biden has announced the names of 19 individuals who will receive the prestigious Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor. The awardees include former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, fashion designer Ralph Lauren, football superstar Lionel Messi, and former Defence Secretary late Ashton Carter.

The Presidential Medal of Freedom is awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace, or other notable endeavors.

According to the White House, Biden believes that great leaders keep the faith, give everyone a fair shot, and put decency above all else and that these nineteen individuals are great leaders who have made America and the world a better place.

Hillary Clinton, who made history as the first First Lady elected to the US Senate, will receive the award for her decades of public service. Clinton later became the first woman nominated for president by a major US political party.

Investor and philanthropist George Soros will also receive the award. Through his network of foundations, partners, and projects in over 120 countries, Soros has focused on global initiatives that strengthen democracy, human rights, education, and social justice. However, Soros has been a vocal critic of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and his criticism has sparked controversy in the past.

Football superstar Lionel Messi, the most decorated player in professional soccer history, will receive the award for his outstanding contributions to the sport. Messi supports healthcare and education programs for children around the world through the Leo Messi Foundation and serves as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.

The award ceremony will take place at the White House, where President Biden will present the medals to the awardees. Other notable recipients of the award include Fannie Lou Hamer, a civil rights activist; Robert Francis Kennedy, who served as Attorney General and US Senator; and Jose Andres, a renowned chef and culinary innovator.

The list of awardees also includes Bono, frontman of U2 and activist against AIDS and poverty; Michael J. Fox, actor and advocate for Parkinson’s disease research; Jane Goodall, ethologist and conservationist; and Earvin “Magic” Johnson, retired basketball player and entrepreneur.

William Sanford Nye, science educator and communicator, will receive the award for his work in inspiring and influencing generations of American students. David M Rubenstein, co-founder of The Carlyle Group and philanthropist, will be recognised for his generous support for the restoration of historic landmarks and the country’s cultural institutions.

Other awardees include George Stevens, Jr, award-winning writer, director, and playwright; Denzel Washington, actor, director, and producer; and Anna Wintour, fashion icon and editor-in-chief of Vogue.
 

U.S. President Joe Biden has named former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, fashion designer Ralph Lauren, football superstar Lionel Messi, former Defence Secretary late Ashton Carter, and controversial investor George Soros, along with 14 others for the prestigious Presidential Medal of Freedom.

The Presidential Medal of Freedom, which is the Nation’s highest civilian honour, would be presented to the awardees at a White House ceremony by Mr. Biden on Saturday (January 4, 2025) afternoon.

The prestigious award is presented to individuals who have made exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace, or other significant societal, public or private endeavours, the White House said Saturday (January 4, 2025).

Mr. Biden believes great leaders keep the faith, give everyone a fair shot, and put decency above all else. These nineteen individuals are great leaders who have made America and the world a better place.

They are great leaders because they are good people who have made extraordinary contributions to their country and the world, the White House said.

Ms. Clinton made history many times over decades in public service, including as the first First Lady elected to the U.S. Senate. After serving as Secretary of State, she became the first woman nominated for President by a major U.S. political party, the White House said.

Mr. Soros is an investor, philanthropist, and founder of the Open Society Foundations.

“Through his network of foundations, partners and projects in more than 120 countries, Mr. Soros has focused on global initiatives that strengthen democracy, human rights, education, and social justice,” the White House said.

Mr. Soros, 94, in the recent past has spoken openly against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The ruling BJP believe that he tried to interfere in Indian elections.

In the last session of Parliament, the BJP raised the issue of alleged “links” of Congress leaders with Soros-backed outfits involved in “anti-India” activities, triggering vociferous protests from the opposition.

Congress, however, trashed these allegations. In 2020, Mr. Soros slammed the Modi government while addressing an event at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, saying nationalism was making headway and the “biggest setback” was seen in India.

“Lionel Messi is the most decorated player in the history of professional soccer. He supports healthcare and education programmes for children around the world through the Leo Messi Foundation and serves as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador,” the White House said.

Fannie Lou Hamer, who transformed the struggle for racial justice in America, and Ashton Carter, who served as the 25th Secretary of Defence and devoted his career to making the nation safer for all, are being awarded the Medal of Freedom posthumously.

Robert Francis Kennedy is remembered as an Attorney General who fiercely combatted racial segregation, and as a United States Senator who sought to address poverty and inequality in the country and George W Romney, a businessman who served as the chairman and president of American Motors Corporation, are also being awarded posthumously.

Jose Andres, renowned Spanish-American culinary innovator who popularised tapas in the United States; Bono the frontman for legendary rock band U2 and a pioneering activist against AIDS and poverty; Michael J. Fox, an actor who has won five Emmy Awards, four Golden Globe Awards, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, and a Grammy Award; and Tim Gill, a visionary entrepreneur whose work has advanced LGBTQI rights and equality, are other recipients of the award.

Other awardees are Jane Goodall, a world-renowned ethologist and conservationist; Earvin “Magic” Johnson, a legendary retired basketball player who led the Los Angeles Lakers to five championships; and Ralph Lauren, a fashion designer who redefined the fashion industry with a lifestyle brand that embodies timeless elegance and American tradition.

William Sanford Nye inspired and influenced generations of American students as “Bill Nye the Science Guy.”

David M. Rubenstein, co-founder and co-chairman of The Carlyle Group, where he built one of the most successful global investment firms is renowned for his philanthropy and generous support for the restoration of historic landmarks and the country’s cultural institutions.

George Stevens, Jr, an award-winning writer, director, author, and playwright; Denzel Washington, an actor, director, and producer who has won two Academy Awards, a Tony Award, two Golden Globes, and the 2016 Cecil B DeMille Lifetime Achievement Award and Anna Wintour, a renowned fashion icon who has led Vogue as editor-in-chief since 1988, will also be presented with the Medal of Freedom.

Chicago:

Former Democratic Presidential nominee Hillary Clinton spoke Monday at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago and made a scathing attack on former US President Donald Trump, saying that the Democrats now have ‘him on the run’, as she appreciated Kamala Harris’ leadership.

Hillary Clinton took centerstage and praised Harris’ leadership. “Kamala cares, cares about kids and families, cares about America. Donald only cares about himself,” Ms Clinton said.

“On her first day in court, Kamala said five words that still guide her: ‘Kamala Harris, for the people.’ That is something that Donald Trump will never understand. So it is no surprise, is it, that he is lying about Kamala’s record. He’s mocking her name and her laugh — it sounds familiar. But we have him on the run now,” Ms Clinton said.

The crowd at the convention began chanting “Lock him up!” as former Secretary of State Clinton began describing Donald Trump’s legal travails.

“Donald Trump fell asleep at his own trial, and when he woke up, he made his own kind of history — the first person to run for president with 34 felony convictions!” she said. The democrats then began chanting “Lock him up!” harkening back to chants made by Trump’s fans about Clinton during their 2016 face-off.

“So no matter what the polls say, we can’t let up. We can’t get driven down in crazy conspiracy rabbit holes. We have to fight for the truth. We have to fight for Kamala as she will fight for us,” she added.

Together, we put a lot of cracks in the highest, hardest glass ceiling,” Hillary Clinton said in her DNC speech.

“On the other side of that glass ceiling is Kamala Harris raising her hand and taking the oath of office as our 47th president of the United States.”

“Together, we put a lot of cracks in the highest hardest glass ceiling. And tonight, tonight, [we are] so close to breaking through once and for all,” Ms Clinton said.

She also urged her party not to give up the goal of shattering one of America’s last glass ceilings: the election of a woman to the presidency. She hopes Kamala Harris would do what she couldn’t — become the first female president.

“The future is here!” Ms Clinton said, adding “I wish my mother and Kamala’s mother could see it. They would say: ‘Keep going’.”

The Democratic National Convention (DNC) kicked off in Chicago on Monday.

Former US President Barack Obama is scheduled to speak on Tuesday, which will focus on the theme “A Bold Vision for the Future.”

On Wednesday, under the theme “A Fight for Freedom,” former President Bill Clinton and Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi of California will address the convention, according to a source familiar with the schedule.

Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries are also expected to speak this week, DNC officials said.

Mike Waltz, Kamala Harris’s running mate, is expected to take the stage on Wednesday to officially accept the vice-presidential nomination. Harris will formally accept the presidential nomination during her speech on Thursday, a night dedicated to the theme “For the Future.”

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Hillary Clinton, who became the first woman to secure a major US party’s presidential nomination, addressed the Democratic convention in Chicago today and praised her party’s new presidential nominee Kamala Harris, and attacked Republican candidate Donald Trump.

Thousands have gathered in Chicago for the Democratic Convention to show their support for Kamala Harris as officially nominated democratic party candidate against Donald Trump in the 2024 US presidential elections.

“As president, she (Kamala Harris) will always have our backs and she will be a fighter for us. She will fight to lower costs for hard-working families, open the doors wide for good paying jobs and, yes, she will restore abortion rights nationwide,” Clinton said.

Attacking Trump, who she lost in the 2016 US elections, Clinton said he “only thinks about himself”.

“Donald Trump fell asleep at his own trial, and when he woke up, he made his own kind of history, the first person to run for president with 34 felony convictions,” she said.

.@HillaryClinton: Kamala will never rest in defense of our freedom and safety. Donald Trump fell asleep at his own trial pic.twitter.com/30gaMgk7n3

— Kamala HQ (@KamalaHQ) August 20, 2024

Clinton, who lost the party’s nomination to Barrack Obama in 2008, also praised US President Joe Biden, saying he has been the “champion of Democracy, at home and abroad.”

“And now, we are writing a new chapter in America’s story,” Clinton said, adding Kamala has the “character, experience and vision to lead us forward.”

Kamala Harris’ Surprise Appearance

Kamala Harris also made a surprise appearance at the party’s national convention and vowed to defeat her Republican rival Donald Trump in the November election.

“Let us fight for the ideals we hold dear and let us always remember, when we fight we win!” she said in brief remarks.

She also praised Biden and said, “Joe, thank you for your historic leadership, for your lifetime of service to our nation.”

“We are forever grateful,” she told Biden.

Washington:

Former US secretary of state Hillary Clinton on Tuesday taunted her old nemesis, Russian President Vladimir Putin, over the expansion of NATO since his invasion of .

“Too bad, Vladimir. You brought it on yourself,” Clinton said in an aside aUkraines she returned to the State Department for the unveiling of her official portrait.

“It was such a point of contention. And we always said, people are not forced to join NATO, people choose and want to join NATO,” she said.

Finland and Sweden sought to join NATO after Russia’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, which had unsuccessfully sought to join the Western alliance whose members pledge to defend one another if attacked.

Putin has cited Ukraine’s flirtation with NATO as a reason for the invasion, which has been met with strong Western support for Kyiv including billions of dollars in weapons.

Clinton took office in 2009 as the top diplomat in Barack Obama’s administration and quickly sought to “reset” relations with Russia, which had been damaged by Moscow’s attack the previous year of another former Soviet republic, Georgia.

But relations sharply deteriorated by the end of her tenure as an increasingly authoritarian Putin in 2012 accused her personally of fomenting protests by opposition leaders who rejected the results of parliamentary elections in which his party cruised to victory.

Clinton was the Democratic presidential nominee who lost to Donald Trump in 2016. A US Senate panel concluded afterwards that Moscow sought to interfere in the election to help Trump win.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)