Ever seen those photos of a President leaning in to drape a blue-ribboned medal around a celebrity's neck? You might’ve caught Michael J. Fox or Denzel Washington looking a bit misty-eyed during the 2025 ceremony. Or maybe you remember the shot of Elvis Presley and Babe Ruth getting theirs posthumously a few years back. It’s the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and honestly, it’s a bit of a weird beast.
Most people think it’s just a "pat on the back" for famous people. That's not really the whole story. While it is the highest civilian honor in the United States, it’s also one of the most personal tools a sitting President has. There are no strict "rules" for who gets it, no Senate confirmation, and no way to take it back once it’s around your neck. It’s basically the President saying, "This person represents the best of what we're trying to do here."
Presidential Medal of Freedom: The Power and the Protocol
So, what is the Presidential Medal of Freedom exactly? If you want the "textbook" answer, it’s an award granted by the President to individuals who have made "an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavors."
That’s a lot of fancy words for "did something big."
It hasn’t always been this way. Back in 1945, President Harry S. Truman created the original "Medal of Freedom" to honor civilians who helped out during World War II. It was a wartime thing. Fast forward to 1963, and John F. Kennedy decided to give it a makeover. He issued Executive Order 11085, which turned it into the year-round, any-field prestige symbol it is today. Kennedy actually never got to see the first group receive his "new" version; he was assassinated before the ceremony. Lyndon B. Johnson ended up handing them out, including one to JFK himself—posthumously.
How it actually works
Unlike the Medal of Honor, which is for military valor and has a mountain of paperwork and witnesses required, the Medal of Freedom is at the sole discretion of the President.
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They can pick anyone.
Seriously, anyone.
The President usually has a "Distinguished Civilian Service Awards Board" to help suggest names, but if the President wants to give a medal to their favorite golfer or a donor they’ve known for thirty years, they can. No one can stop them. This is why you see such a wild mix of people:
- Civil Rights icons like Rosa Parks and Fannie Lou Hamer.
- Scientists like Jane Goodall and Bill Nye.
- Athletes like Tiger Woods, Simone Biles, and Lionel Messi.
- Political allies and foreign leaders like Margaret Thatcher or Jens Stoltenberg.
Why the Design Matters
The medal itself is a piece of art. It’s a white star sitting on a red pentagon. If you look closely at the center, there’s a blue circle with 13 gold stars—that’s a nod to the original thirteen colonies.
There’s also a "With Distinction" version. It’s much rarer. Only about 56 people have ever received it. You’ll recognize it because the ribbon is worn as a sash over the right shoulder, and the star is larger. President Joe Biden gave one to himself (well, Obama gave it to him) in 2017 in a surprise ceremony that went viral.
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The Controversy You Won't See on the News
Because the award is so personal to the President, it gets political. Fast.
When Donald Trump gave the medal to Rush Limbaugh during the State of the Union, half the country cheered and the other half was livid. When Joe Biden awarded the medal to George Soros and Michael Bloomberg in 2024 and 2025, the same thing happened in reverse.
One of the biggest misconceptions is that you can "lose" the medal. You can’t. Back in 2015, there was a massive outcry to revoke Bill Cosby’s medal after his legal troubles began. Barack Obama had to go on record saying there is "no precedent" for revoking it. Once the President puts it on you, it's yours forever.
Does it come with money?
Nope.
Unlike the military Medal of Honor, which comes with a monthly pension (about $1,700 nowadays), the Presidential Medal of Freedom is purely about prestige. You get the medal, a citation, and a permanent spot in the history books. That’s it.
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Recent Honorees: The 2025 Class
If you’ve been following the news lately, the January 4, 2025 ceremony was a big one. It was one of those "end of term" style lists where the President tries to hit every corner of American culture.
- Entertainment: Denzel Washington and Michael J. Fox (who both got huge standing ovations).
- Sports: Earvin "Magic" Johnson and soccer legend Lionel Messi.
- Science: Jane Goodall and Bill Nye "The Science Guy."
- Politics: Hillary Clinton and Mitt Romney (accepting for his father, George W. Romney).
It’s a group that tells a story about what the current administration values. You’ve got civil rights (Fannie Lou Hamer), global diplomacy (Bono), and even fashion (Ralph Lauren and Anna Wintour).
What This Means for You
Most of us aren’t going to be standing in the East Room of the White House anytime soon. But understanding what the Presidential Medal of Freedom represents is a great way to see how American history is written in real-time. It’s the highest "thank you" the government can give.
If you’re ever curious about who has received it, the National Archives and the Congressional Research Service keep massive, updated lists. It's kinda fascinating to see names like Mother Teresa right next to someone like Walt Disney or Stephen Hawking.
Next Steps to Explore:
- Check the Official List: Go to the White House Archives or Congress.gov to see every recipient since 1963.
- Watch a Ceremony: YouTube has the full 2025 ceremony footage. It's worth watching just to see the reaction of people like José Andrés when they realize the weight of the moment.
- Compare Awards: Look up the difference between this and the Congressional Gold Medal, which is actually the "legislative" equivalent and requires an Act of Congress to pass.
The Medal of Freedom is more than just jewelry. It's a reflection of our national identity—messy, political, and occasionally, truly inspiring.