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President Joe Biden presented Bono with the Presidential Medal of Freedom at the White House on January 4, 2025. The White House cited Bono’s work as U2’s frontman and his activism against AIDS and poverty, including his role in helping build support for the U.S. PEPFAR AIDS program.
When did Bono receive the Medal of Freedom?
Biden presented the medal at a White House ceremony on January 4, 2025. The event took place in the East Room; Biden’s remarks began at 1:23 p.m., according to the official transcript. The White House announcement named 19 recipients for the ceremony.
In his remarks, Biden called the Medal of Freedom the nation’s highest civilian honor and thanked recipients for helping shape American culture and public life. He said they embodied the national motto, “E pluribus unum”—“out of many, one.” (Official White House transcript)
Why did Biden give Bono the award?
The White House announcement described Bono as U2’s frontman and an activist against AIDS and poverty. It credited him with helping bring politicians from opposing parties together to create the U.S. PEPFAR AIDS program, and identified him as a co-founder of ONE and (RED). Those points describe the administration’s stated rationale for the honor.
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The White House defines the medal as an award for exemplary contributions to U.S. prosperity, values or security, world peace, or other significant societal endeavors. (White House announcement)
What is the Presidential Medal of Freedom?
It is a presidential award that the White House calls the nation’s highest civilian honor. Its current form was established by President John F. Kennedy’s Executive Order 11085 in 1963. A predecessor, the Medal of Freedom, dates to a 1945 order by President Harry S. Truman. (Congressional Research Service overview)
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There is no formal nomination or evaluation process, according to the Congressional Research Service. A president may select someone on the president’s own initiative or choose a person recommended to the president. The award is often, but not invariably, presented at an annual White House ceremony.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Who else received the award that day?
The January 4 announcement named 19 recipients. The Associated Press reported that four of the awards were posthumous. (Associated Press report)
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsThe ceremony was for the Presidential Medal of Freedom, not the separate Presidential Citizens Medal.
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