Tesla's billionaire CEO, Elon Musk, had sparked an outburst as US President Joe Biden awarded billionaire financier and philanthropist George Soros the Presidential Medal of Freedom on Saturday.
The outspoken criticisms against Soros did not cease here as Musk termed the move a 'travesty,' even going on a podcast and claiming Soros 'fundamentally hates humanity.'
The tweet came along with posting a meme where Soros is likened to Darth Sidious in the movie Star Wars; it reads, "George Soros looking quite good here. Must be the lighting."
George Soros looking pretty good here. Must be the lighting. pic.twitter.com/gNHhKyd2GQ
Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 5, 2025
It is on this that multiple Republican leaders criticized the move, further intensifying the controversy as the decision was to bestow the highest civilian honor on Soros.
GOP leader Nikki Haley described it as "another slap in the face of America," referring to Biden's actions to reduce the sentences of murderers and pardon 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," she added.
Another slap in the face to America by giving George Soros the Presidential Medal of Freedom, along with reducing murderers' sentences and pardoning his son. 16 days is a long time until the Inauguration. What is he capable of sliding in next? January 20th cant come soon enough. Nikki Haley (@NikkiHaley) January 4, 2025Donald Trump Jr. Calls for Recognition of Heroic Acts Over Political Contributions
President-elect Donald Trump's son, Donald Trump Jr., also expressed his discontent, posting a video of a pizza delivery driver who ran into a burning house to save five children, stating that the driver "deserves the Presidential Medal of Freedom… Not the clowns like Soros and the others who got it from Biden this week."
This guy deserves the presidential medal of freedom Not the clowns like Soros and the others who got it from Biden this week.
Despite the controversy, Soros was awarded the Medal of Freedom for his support of global organisations and initiatives that promote democracy, human rights, education, and social justice. The citation for Soros praised him for building a life of freedom after escaping Nazi-occupied Hungary and becoming an advocate for open societies, rights, and justice.
His son, Alexander Soros, accepted the award on his father's behalf, calling him an American patriot who has spent his life fighting for freedom and human rights.
However, Soros' political activism has not been without its critics. He is one of the major donors to the Democratic Party and funded progressive district attorneys-a position that many claim has fed the crime wave sweeping several US cities.
Soros has also been outspoken against Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, particularly criticising nationalism in India during a 2020 speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where he described the rise of nationalism as the “biggest setback” for global democracy.
Among the 19 honorees recognized by Biden were singer and activist Bono, basketball legend Magic Johnson, soccer superstar Lionel Messi, actors Denzel Washington and Michael J. Fox, and fashion designer Ralph Lauren. Posthumous awards were given to Fannie Lou Hamer, a prominent civil rights leader.
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