Biden holds final Medal of Freedom ceremony, honoring Hillary Clinton, Bono and more

CNN — President Joe Biden awarded the nation’s highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, to 19 people on Saturday, recognizing a broad swath of luminaries across politics, culture and the arts, including former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, designer Ralph Lauren, U2 frontman Bono and philanthropist and megadonor George Soros. “For the final time as president I have the honor of bestowing the Medal of Freedom, our nation’s highest civilian honor, to a group of extraordinary — truly extraordinary people who gave their sacred effort to shape the culture and the cause of America,” Biden said in brief remarks. “President Biden believes great leaders keep the faith, give everyone a fair shot, and put decency above all else,” the White House said in the statement. The president also recognized Soros, a liberal megadonor who the White House says “has supported organizations, and projects across the world that strengthen democracy, human rights, education, and social justice,” and famed Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour, who hosted political fundraisers for the Biden campaign.