President Biden's decision to bestow the Presidential Medal of Freedom upon former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and billionaire philanthropist George Soros ignited a firestorm of criticism on social media. The prestigious award, recognizing exceptional contributions to the nation, will be presented to Clinton, Soros, and 17 other individuals at a White House ceremony.

Tesla and X CEO Elon Musk spearheaded the backlash, deeming Soros's recognition a "travesty" and referencing past comments where he accused Soros of "eroding the fabric of civilization." Other online commentators echoed Musk's sentiments, questioning the recipients' alignment with the award's intended purpose.

The White House lauded Clinton's extensive public service career, highlighting her historic achievements as the first female senator from New York and the first First Lady to hold elected office. However, critics pointed to controversies surrounding her handling of the Benghazi attack and her use of a private email server while serving as Secretary of State.

Soros, a major Democratic donor, was recognized for his philanthropic work through the Open Society Foundations, which supports various causes globally. However, detractors criticized his funding of progressive district attorneys, alleging a connection to rising crime rates in certain cities.

The diverse group of honorees also includes actor Denzel Washington, actor Michael J. Fox, U2 singer Bono, basketball legend Earvin "Magic" Johnson, soccer star Lionel Messi, and the late Robert F. Kennedy. The White House emphasized that the recipients embody leadership, fairness, and decency, contributing significantly to both the United States and the world.

The ceremony follows Biden's recent awarding of the Presidential Citizens Medal to former Rep. Liz Cheney and Rep. Bennie Thompson for their work on the January 6th House Select Committee.