On January 4, 2025, President Biden awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to 19 honorees, including Hillary Clinton, Bono, and Lionel Messi, reflecting their impactful contributions. Four awards were given posthumously to civil rights leaders like Fannie Lou Hamer and Robert F. Kennedy. Other prominent recipients included José Andrés and Denzel Washington. During the ceremony, President Biden emphasized their roles as cultural icons, humanitarians, and change-makers, marking a significant recognition of work that aligns with the United States' values and ideals.