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.
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."
While the Twitterverse had plenty of responses for the infamous Trump acolyte...
... Simone Biles proved once again she's capable of defending herself.
Biles tweeted:
"who is Jenna Ellis? Asking for everyone"
People found the response highly appropriate.
While others endeavored to answer.
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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