Elon Musk slams George Soros being awarded nation's highest civilian honour by US prez

Tesla CEO Elon Musk criticised President Joe Biden's decision to award billionaire financier George Soros the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honour, on Saturday. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Musk called the decision a "travesty," stating, "A travesty that Biden is giving Soros the Medal of Freedom."


President-elect Donald Trump’s close aide Musk further escalated the criticism by posting a meme comparing Soros to Darth Sidious from Star Wars. Accompanying the image, Musk quipped, "George Soros looking quite good here. Must be the lighting."



In a press statement issued by the White House, George Soros was recognized as "an investor, philanthropist, and founder of the Open Society Foundations." He was one of 19 individuals awarded the US Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Joe Biden on January 4.

Soros was recognised for his philanthropic efforts through the Open Society Foundations, which have supported initiatives promoting democracy, human rights, education, and social justice in more than 120 countries.

Among the recipients were prominent figures like former secretary of state Hillary Clinton, football player Lionel Messi, and acclaimed actors Michael J. Fox and Denzel Washington.

The Presidential Medal of Freedom

The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian honour in the US, recognising individuals who have made key contributions to global peace, security, societal well-being, or public and private initiatives. It honours those whose efforts have had a profound impact on the nation's values and the broader world.