Bono Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom
During a White House ceremony on January 5, 2025, President Joe Biden presented U2’s Bono with the Presidential Medal of Freedom – the country’s highest civilian award.
This prestigious honor recognizes those who champion American values, promote world peace, or make significant contributions to society. The Biden administration highlighted Bono’s ongoing commitment to fighting AIDS and global poverty.
In a statement via social media, Bono said, “Thank you, President Biden. Frontmen don’t do humble, but today I was. Rock n roll gave me my freedom… and with it the privilege to work alongside those who’ve had to fight so much harder for theirs. And I want to give it up for my bandmates – Edge, Adam, and Larry – without whom I would never have found my voice.”
Other recipients joining Bono in receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom included Denzel Washington, Michael J. Fox, Bill Nye, Hillary Clinton, Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Lionel Messi, Anna Wintour, George Soros, Ralph Lauren, Jose Andres, and Jane Goodall.
Bono penned an op-ed for The Atlantic titled “The Gorgeous, Unglamorous Work of Freedom.” In the piece, he wrote, in part, “The reason I am climbing on this slippery soapbox called “freedom” today is because I’m being given a presidential medal by that name—an honor I’m receiving mainly for the work of others, among them my bandmates and our fellow activists—and it’s got me thinking again about the subject … Rock and roll promised a freedom that could not be contained or silenced, an international language of liberation.”
