George Soros, the 94-year-old Hungarian-born hedge fund manager and philanthropist, received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Joe Biden in a White House ceremony. Alexander Soros accepted the award on behalf of his father.

Having donated over $32 billion to the Open Society Foundations, Soros is recognized for his contributions to democracy, human rights, education, and social justice. "As an immigrant who found freedom and prosperity in America, I am deeply moved by this honor," Soros stated.

Soros's remarkable journey began when he fled Nazi-occupied Hungary in 1949. After studying at the London School of Economics, he established Double Eagle hedge fund in 1969. He gained fame as "The Man Who Broke the Bank of England" after making $1 billion by short-selling pounds sterling during the 1992 Black Wednesday crisis. This success led to founding Soros Fund Management, which achieved a 20% annual return over four decades.

The award sparked controversy among Republican critics, as Soros has been a major Democratic Party donor since the mid-1990s. This follows similar precedent of presidential recognition of political donors, such as President Trump's 2018 award to Dr. Miriam Adelson, widow of casino mogul Sheldon Adelson.

Other 2025 Presidential Medal of Freedom recipients included Hillary Clinton, chef José Andrés, and U2's Bono. The medal, established by President Kennedy in 1963, remains America's highest civilian honor, awarded at presidential discretion or recommendation.

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