The US Presidential Medal of Freedom has been officially awarded to Bono, the lead singer of U2.
President Joe Biden presented this prestigious American civilian honor to Bono, whose real name is Paul David Hewson, during a ceremony at the White House, where a total of 19 individuals from various sectors including politics, sports, and entertainment were recognized.
The medals are awarded for “exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace, or other significant societal, public, or private endeavors.”
Bono, who is well-known for his advocacy against poverty and his support for those affected by HIV/AIDS, donned a classic black suit and sunglasses as President Biden bestowed the medal upon him.
We require your consent to load this comcast-player content. Our use of comcast-player aims to manage additional content that may set cookies on your device and gather data on your activities. Please review the details and consent to load the content. Manage Preferences
Notable attendees included Anna Wintour, 75, editor-in-chief of Vogue magazine, and renowned primatologist Jane Goodall, 90, both of whom were also honored with medals at the event.
Among those awarded at the ceremony were Michael J. Fox, actor known for Back To The Future and a Parkinson’s advocate, US politician Hillary Clinton, and Argentine soccer star Lionel Messi.
Bono has previously been honored with the prestigious French cultural award, Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters, in 2013, named Time Magazine’s Person of the Year in 2005, and received an honorary British knighthood in 2007.
The 64-year-old’s band is currently hosting a residency at an innovative, state-of-the-art venue in Las Vegas known as the Sphere, which features 168,000 square feet of high-definition LED displays, 167,000 speakers, and 17,000 seats.
The former first lady and US secretary of state Hillary Clinton was also honored during the event.
The celebrated rock band has released numerous albums throughout the years, with their latest being Songs Of Surrender, showcasing reimagined versions of songs from their extensive catalogue.
Mrs. Clinton has “made history many times throughout her decades of public service,” notably as the first woman nominated for a US presidential election by a major party.
Additionally, President Biden posthumously awarded a Presidential Medal of Freedom to Robert Francis Kennedy, commonly known as “Bobby” Kennedy or “RFK.”
RFK served as US attorney general while his brother, John F. Kennedy, was president, and he was assassinated in 1968 while campaigning for the Democratic presidential nomination.
“His legacy continues to inspire those dedicated to justice, equality, and public service,” Mr. Biden stated.
RFK was also the father of Robert Kennedy Jr., known as ‘RFK Jr.’, a vaccine skeptic who has been tapped by president-elect Donald Trump to serve as the next Secretary of Health and Human Services.
President Biden’s selections for the Medal of Freedom reflect his intent to make a lasting impact before leaving office.
On Thursday, in another slight to Donald Trump, Mr. Biden awarded a Presidential Citizens Medal to Liz Cheney, a former Republican congresswoman from Wyoming who served on the House panel investigating the January 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection.
Mr. Trump expressed his dismay at this decision yesterday, labeling Ms. Cheney, daughter of former US vice president Dick Cheney, as “totally corrupt” and claimed on Truth Social that “Biden rewarded her only because she hated ‘TRUMP.'”
