New Delhi: US President Joe Biden’s decision to award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to billionaire financier George Soros has sparked fierce criticism on social media with Republican leaders questioning the rationale behind it. Elon Musk, known for his vocal criticisms of Soros, called the recognition a “travesty” during a podcast adding that Soros “fundamentally hates humanity”.
The award for Soros was accepted by his son, Alex Soros during a ceremony at the White House on Saturday. Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian honour in the United States.
Backlash from other Republicans
Musk also shared a meme on X, which he owns, comparing Soros to Darth Sidious, the villainous character from Star Wars, quipping, “George Soros looking quite good here. Must be the lighting.”
The backlash also came from Republican leaders, including former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley, who labelled the award “another slap in the face of America”. Haley also accused President Biden of prioritising political agendas over national values. “Sixteen days until the inauguration. What’s next? January 20th can’t come soon enough,” she wrote on X.
Soros was not the only to be presented with the award but 16 people in all were awarded the Medal of Freedom, including former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, scientist Bill Nye, and actor Denzel Washington.
Soros’ Open Society Foundations have faced pushback in countries like Hungary and Russia, where critics often accuse him of meddling in national affairs.
