Biden Presents Presidential Medal of Freedom to Hillary Clinton, Michael J

By Jeff Mason

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Joe Biden has invited former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, chef Jose Andres, actor Michael J.

Democrat Biden, who stepped out of the White House on Jan. 20 at the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump, gave the highest American civilian honor to humanitarians and U2 singer Bono, to fashion designer Ralph Lauren (NYSE: ). Science Guy” Bill Nye, actor Denzel Washington, basketball star Earvin “Magic” Johnson and Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour.

Other White House honorees include Tim Gill, an LGBT activist; David Rubenstein, philanthropist and founder of The Carlyle Group (NASDAQ: ); and George Stevens Jr., writer and director, founder of the American Film Institute.

International soccer star Lionel Messi, who was not present at the ceremony, also received the award. White House officials said the Argentine player had a scheduling conflict. The tycoon and philanthropist George Soros accepted the award but did not attend the ceremony. His son Alex received it in his stead.

Biden also posthumously awarded the Medal of Freedom to civil rights activist Fannie Lou Hammer. Ash Carter, former Secretary of Defense; Robert F. Kennedy, former Attorney General and US Senator and brother of President John F. Kennedy; and George Romney, businessman and former Michigan governor and secretary Housing and urban development (NS:) His son, Senator Mitt Romney, accepted on his behalf.

Biden called the group of recipients “truly extraordinary people” who have dedicated their efforts to shaping American affairs and culture.

The polls reflected some of Biden’s interests, allies and heroes.

In the year Clinton, who made her own historic and unsuccessful bid for the presidency in 2016, was a staunch supporter of Biden, including her bid for re-election until his withdrawal in July. The former US Senator and First Lady received a standing ovation from the White House crowd.

Fox, the star of the “Back to the Future” movies and TV shows “Family Ties” and “Spin City,” has Parkinson’s disease and entered the East Room in a wheelchair but walked with assistance and stood as Biden placed the medal around his neck. He smiled and clapped throughout the ceremony.

Biden said Kennedy was one of his “true political heroes.” The late senator’s daughter, Kathleen Kennedy, accepted the award on his behalf.

Andres, the founder of the World Central Kitchen charity, has fed many people in conflict zones, including Gaza, where some of its food aid workers were killed last year. He tried to hold back tears as he accepted the award.