When President Donald Trump used his final State of the Union address to announce a Presidential Medal of Freedom for Rush Limbaugh — and then, after his 2020 defeat, conferred the same medal on congressional ultras Jim Jordan and Devin Nunes — Washington largely scoffed: It was a cheapening of an award that’s supposed to represent the best of America.

Bill Nye was recently awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in recognition of his dedication to science education.

Discover the 19 individuals awarded the honor this year by President Joe Biden, including Hillary Clinton, Michael J. Fox, and Lionel Messi.

Joe Biden on Saturday awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to 19 honorees, bestowing the highest civilian honor in the United States on entertainers, sports stars, activists and diplomats including Jane Goodall and Hillary Clinton.

President Joe Biden presents David M. Rubenstein with the Medal of Freedom during a Jan. 4 ceremony at the White House. Rubenstein was honored for his “philanthropy and generous support for the restoration of historic landmarks and the country’s cultural institutions.”

Controversial Open Society Foundations founder George Soros and 18 others are recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, President Joe Biden announced Saturday.

President Joe Biden awarded the Presidential Citizens Medal to former Representative Liz Cheney during a ceremony at the White House. Cheney received a standing ovation from attendees as she was honored for her unwavering commitment to democracy and her role as vice chair of the House committee investigating the January 6,