The Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest award a civilian can receive, was given to 17 people this year.
RELATED: Simone Biles youngest person to receive Medal of Freedom
President Joe Biden presented the Medal of Freedom – the nation’s highest honor – to 17 people Thursday, including actor Denzel Washington, gymnast Simone Biles and former congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords.
The president also presented the award posthumously to Sen. John McCain, Apple founder Steve Jobs and Richard Trumka, who was president of the AFL-CIO.
In a ceremony in the White House East Room, Biden called the recipients “extraordinary Americans.”
“This is America,” he said, pointing to the recipients seated behind him on the stage.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom, which was established under former President John F. Kennedy, is one of the highest awards a civilian can receive.
Biden received the award in January 2017 from former President Barack Obama – one week before the two left office. He was presented the award for his public service as a U.S. senator and vice president.
» Subscribe to USA TODAY:
» Watch more on this and other topics from USA TODAY:
» USA TODAY delivers current local and national news, sports, entertainment, finance, technology, and more through award-winning journalism, photos, videos and VR.
#joebiden #medaloffreedom #denzelwashington
source
So someone who decided to quit on the Olympics but had no problem shooting a bunch of commercials, yeah sounds par for the course under this fraudulent resident we have
The privaleged girl who gave up competing in the Olympics because of mental health? Give her an award for having the stength to throw in the towel……pppfff
👎🏻
This is like a slap in the face for the people that do really fight for real freedom! This administration is a joke!
After the ceremony they all milly rocked to WAP
Y’all missed the bit where he put a medal on backwards
Wow 😮
fraud
Jobs I can see, but Biles? She got her Olympic medals . That’s all she deserves or has earned.
NO SNIFFING ??????
JOE IS GOING TO GET Medal FOR WORLD BEST SNIFFER F J B
I mean free medal, looks good on resume, just don't put biden anywhere in it because you'll lose credibility
Biden just sniffed biles 😂
What a creeper
So, Dementia Joe gives Simone Quitter and Presidential Medal of Freedom? Really? Good for her. I guess? LET'S GO BRANDON!
What a joke!!!
LMAO.
Our installed crime boss Joe Biden a total POS
“Medal of freedom”. America ? 😂😂😂. George Carlin must be laughing .
Jimmy biden salivating as he drools over her..
This is disgraceful, to all those who have done FAR more then she has. She’s done nothing more then what so many others before her have done in regards to depression or mental health of athletes and foster care or even the organization’s that address these problems along with sexual abuse. What about all of them that even founded the organizations ? No this is just another give away of something THAT ONCE meant a great deal of respect and was an honor to have bestowed upon you. Now I’d throw it in a cardboard box and shove it up in my attic and forget about it. It’s become a joke the past couple of decades. People like Dr king and Jesse Owens etc who moved MOUNTAINS in the world are worthy of such an honor. NOT Denzel Washington or bile or McCain 🤣 ugh. This society needs to be flushed down the toilet 🚽 this WHOLE past 2 generations for that matter. Sad when now you might could receive a Medal of Freedom for being the best RPG player in the country or even just for coming in last place in a triathlon but at least you participated in it and finished 😩 sickening ……
Sniff , Sniff , SNIFF ….
Thank you Joe Biden you’re a kind president 👏
For what??
This country needs to up their standards. They hand out medals to quitters, erect statues to thugs and embrace criminals who break the laws in other countries. The Dems are an embarrassment to the country! LGB!
This mail order president is so feeble and corrupt that the fact it was his hands that put those medals around their necks devalues and discredits its value as a whole.
Everyone complaint about Biles receiving one because she was just an “athlete” and did not merit one. But no mention of John Wayne, Joe DiMaggio, Bear Bryant, Frank Sinatra, Ted Williams Elvis Presley, Rush Limbaugh, etc…. Can’t be because she represented her country and a strong case can be made she was the greatest Olympian ever. Can’t be her advocating for causes like mental health, and foster care. Just can’t figure out why some are upset at her receiving the medal. Hmmm.
This is gonna trigger trump cultists 🤣
I remember Steve Jobs hating on Obama and Joe biden in his biography