One of the perks of being President of the United States is getting the opportunity to recognize outstanding people. For civilians, the highest honor the President can bestow is the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
President Joe Biden—himself a medal recipient from President Barack Obama—presented his first group of medals on Thursday, July 7, to 17 recipients from the worlds of sports, entertainment, advocacy, academics, medicine, technology, religion, labor and politics.
Among those recognized were the late Republican Senator John McCain, Gold Star father Khizr Khan, Former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, Sister Simone Campbell and Denzel Washington.
\u201cIt was my honor to welcome some extraordinary Americans to the White House today and honor each of them with our nation's highest civilian award, the Presidential Medal of Freedom.\u201d— President Biden (@President Biden) 1657235172
While most would offer congratulations on such an achievement, former Republican President Donald Trump's "Big Lie" lawyer Jenna Ellis used it as an opportunity to attack two of the women honored—Simone Biles and Megan Rapinoe.
She tweeted:
"Fittingly, Biden awarded his presidential medals to fellow losers, Biles and Rapinoe."
\u201cFittingly, Biden awarded his presidential medals to fellow losers, Biles and Rapinoe.\u201d— Jenna Ellis (@Jenna Ellis) 1657242976
While the Twitterverse had plenty of responses for the infamous Trump acolyte...
\u201c@JennaEllisEsq Simone Biles won 19 World Championship Golds, 4 Olympic Golds and is the most decorated gymnast in US history. Megan Rapinoe won 2 World Cups, an Olympic Gold and was named Best Player in the World in 2019.\n\nYou lost 63 lawsuits and got farted on by Rudy Giuliani.\u201d— Jenna Ellis (@Jenna Ellis) 1657242976
...Simone Biles proved once again she's capable of defending herself.
Biles tweeted:
"who is Jenna Ellis? Asking for everyone"
\u201cwho is Jenna Ellis? Asking for everyone\u201d— Simone Biles (@Simone Biles) 1657298967
People found the response highly appropriate.
\u201c@MeidasTouch @Simone_Biles \ud83d\udc4f\ud83c\udffd\ud83d\udc4f\ud83c\udffd\u201d— Simone Biles (@Simone Biles) 1657298967
\u201c@Simone_Biles\u201d— Simone Biles (@Simone Biles) 1657298967
\u201c@Simone_Biles Congratulations to the GOAT!!!\u201d— Simone Biles (@Simone Biles) 1657298967
\u201c@Simone_Biles \ud83d\udd25\ud83d\udd25\ud83d\udd25\u201d— Simone Biles (@Simone Biles) 1657298967
While others endeavored to answer.
\u201c@EnriqueAVaca1 @Simone_Biles She was part of the elite strike force \ud83d\ude02\ud83d\ude02\u201d— Simone Biles (@Simone Biles) 1657298967
\u201c@Simone_Biles @mPinoe \ud83e\udd47 \ud83e\udd47 \ud83e\udd47\u201d— Simone Biles (@Simone Biles) 1657298967
\u201c@Deb_B_Smith @Simone_Biles\u201d— Simone Biles (@Simone Biles) 1657298967
\u201c@katyy_yy @Simone_Biles And that includes traffic court.\u201d— Simone Biles (@Simone Biles) 1657298967
\u201c@Simone_Biles Not a clue. Anyway\u2026back to you & @mPinoe - well done, you fabulous women. You are both an absolute credit to your families and your respective sports. #GirlPower\u201d— Simone Biles (@Simone Biles) 1657298967
\u201c@JayleneLewis1 @Simone_Biles She's glowing. Here for it.\u201d— Simone Biles (@Simone Biles) 1657298967
In the President's announcement of his Medal of Freedom recipients, Simone Biles was cited as:
"...the most decorated American gymnast in history, with a combined total of 32 Olympic and World Championship medals. Biles is also a prominent advocate for athletes’ mental health and safety, children in the foster care system, and victims of sexual assault."
Megan Rapinoe was described as:
"...an Olympic gold medalist and two-time Women’s World Cup champion. She also captains OL Reign in the National Women’s Soccer League. She is a prominent advocate for gender pay equality, racial justice, and LGBTQI+ rights."
The award was established in 1963 by President John F. Kennedy based on the Medal of Freedom established by President Harry S. Truman in 1945 to honor civilian service during World War II.
President Trump awarded 24 medals between 2017-2021 to winners like Republican Representatives Devin Nunez and Jim Jordan and misogynist, racist, homophobic conspiracy theorist Rush Limbaugh leading his critics to claim Trump awarded medals to his major campaign donors and people who praised him.
New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick turned down the award from Trump after the January 6 insurrection.
Dolly Parton declined the receiving the medal from Trump twice.
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