'Travesty': Elon Musk Seethes At Joe Biden’s Presidential Medal For George Soros Amid MAGA Rage

Last Updated:January 05, 2025, 09:18 IST

George Soros has been criticised by right-wing politicians for funding politicians who have been soft on crime, blaming it for increased criminal activities in some states.

Alex Soros, son of philanthropist George Soros receives the Presidential Medal of Freedom on behalf of his father. (AFP)

US President Joe Biden on Saturday awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to 19 honorees, including billionaire financier and left-wing philanthropist George Soros. The decision to bestow the highest civilian honour to Soros was criticised by MAGA Republicans and Elon Musk.

“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," read the citation.

Soros was honoured because he “has supported organisations, and projects across the world that strengthen democracy, human rights, education and social justice." His son Alexander accepted the award on his behalf, saying his father is an American patriot who has spent his life fighting for freedom and human rights.

“As an immigrant who found freedom and prosperity in America, I am deeply moved by this honour," 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.

Elon Musk, Republicans Slam Decision

Elon Musk led the furious outcry over the award, labelling the decision to award Soros the honour as “a travesty." Musk also shared a video of himself on a podcast where he had said that he believed that Soros “fundamentally hates humanity."

After the award was given to Soros, Musk shared a meme, comparing the philanthropist to Darth Sidious, a character in Star Wars.

Other Republican leaders also criticised Biden for giving the prestigious 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," said GOP leader Nikki Haley.

President-elect Donald Trump’s son Donald Trump Jr shared a video of a pizza delivery driver rushing into a burning house to save five children, saying that guy “deserves the presidential medal of freedom… Not the clowns like Soros."

“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. Social media backlash was also high over Biden’s decision to award Hillary Clinton, seemingly underscoring that the White House favours the Left.

Online commentator Blake Habyan wrote, “What a joke — these people have done the exact opposite of what the award is intended for," while Natalie F Danelishen wrote that the news could be a Babylon Bee story given how unbelievable it is. “Seriously, two of the worst people on earth," she wrote.

Controversies Surrounding George Soros

George Soros, one of the biggest donors to the Democratic Party, has been slammed for funding progressive district attorneys who have been light on crime, which they say has led to an increase in crime waves in several US cities, according to Fox News.

The 94-year-old George Soros in the recent past has spoken openly against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In the recently concluded Winter 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, 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.

Among those receiving honours from the outgoing US president were singer and activist Bono, basketball legend Earvin “Magic" Johnson, longtime Vogue editor Anna Wintour, soccer superstar Lionel Messi, actors Denzel Washington and Michael J. Fox, and fashion designer Ralph Lauren. Posthumous recipients included Fannie Lou Hamer, a Black civil rights activist.

Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

News world 'Travesty': Elon Musk Seethes At Joe Biden’s Presidential Medal For George Soros Amid MAGA Rage