Biden to award highest civilian honor to George Soros, Hillary Clinton



President Joe Biden named 19 recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom on Saturday, including former Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton and billionaire globalist George Soros.

The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian honor that is awarded to those who have made significant contributions to the "prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace, or other significant societal, public or private endeavors," according to the White House press release.

"President Biden believes great leaders keep the faith, give everyone a fair shot, and put decency above all else," the press release reads.

As Biden's presidential term comes to a close, he has also commemorated former Republican Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming with the Presidential Citizens Medal on Friday.

Biden praised Clinton for having "made history many times" and Soros for his "global initiatives" that he claims "strengthen democracy, human rights, education, and social justice" around the world.

"Secretary Clinton made history many times over decades in public service, including as the first First Lady elected to the United States Senate." the press release reads. "After serving as Secretary of State, she became the first woman nominated for president by a major United States political party."

"George Soros is an investor, philanthropist, and founder of the Open Society Foundations," the press release reads. "Through his network of foundations, partners and projects in more than 120 countries, Soros has focused on global initiatives that strengthen democracy, human rights, education, and social justice."

As Biden's presidential term comes to a close, he has also commemorated former Republican Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming with the Presidential Citizens Medal on Friday. Cheney, the daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney, sparked controversy throughout her career for voting to impeach then-President Donald Trump and endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 election.

Other recipients include actors, athletes, and advocates.

Some philanthropists include celebrity chef José Andrés, the late civil rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer, tech founder and LGBTQ advocate Tim Gill, and billionaire co-founder David M. Rubenstein. Biden is also awarding some former politicians like the late Secretary of Defense Ash Carter, the late U.S. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, as well as the former Michigan governor and Secretary of Housing George W. Romney.

Some figures in pop culture will also be awarded, such as five-time NBA champion Earvin "Magic" Johnson, Argentinian soccer star Lionel Messi, scientist and television personality Bill Nye, and primate researcher Jane Goodall. Other creatives like rock musician Bono, actors Michael J. Fox and Denzel Washington, filmmaker George Stevens Jr., as well as fashion icons Ralph Lauren and Anna Wintour will receive the medal.

The awards will be presented on Saturday.

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Magic Johnson never showed up at Whitmer rally as reported



For several days last week, rumors spread throughout the state of Michigan that beloved basketball legend Earvin "Magic" Johnson would appear at a rally for Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) on the eve of the midterm election.

On Friday morning, self-described "Michigan politics reporter" Jonathan Oosting tweeted, "Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer expected to hold final rally of re-election campaign Monday evening in East Lansing with a notable guest: Magic Johnson."

"Magic Johnson to appear at Whitmer rally in East Lansing," read a WLNS headline, updated Saturday afternoon.

The significance of the East Lansing location was likely not lost on most Michiganders. Johnson and his Spartan teammates at Michigan State University famously brought a national championship home to East Lansing in 1979, defeating Larry Bird and the Indiana State Sycamores 75-64. Many say it is still the most-watched NCAA championship game of all time.

Whitmer is likewise an MSU alumna.

Between Whitmer's tight race against Republican challenger Tudor Dixon and Johnson's magical star power, the event was expected to be a strong, Michigan-focused finale for Whitmer and her campaign.

Only it didn't happen — at least, as they say, not the way the coach had drawn it up. Johnson never actually appeared at the event and instead issued his endorsement of Whitmer on Twitter amid a series of tweets on several different topics, including the MSU football victory over Illinois two days before and the suspension of eight MSU football players after a melee with rival Michigan nearly a week and a half ago.

James David Dickson, the managing editor of Michigan Capitol Confidential, contextualized Johnson's endorsement tweet.

\u201cMagic Johnson always was a great passer\n\nHe passed on the Whitmer campaign rally tonight in favor of lobbing 3 Michigan-related tweets\n\nThe governors race came after Sparty win and Sparty tunnel fight. Just...perfect\u201d
— James David Dickson (@James David Dickson) 1667876602

When fellow Michigan reporter Andrew Roth inquired about Johnson's absence from the rally, despite public flyers advertising his appearance, Roth said a "campaign spokesperson pointed out @MagicJohnson's tweeted endorsement of Gov. @gretchenwhitmer from earlier today." That campaign spokesperson is believed to be Joe Costello.

On Monday afternoon, Johnson had, indeed, tweeted: "I hope that Governor Gretchen Whitmer gets another four years as Governor of Michigan!"

He made no mention of the rally.

On Tuesday afternoon, he also tweeted again to remind everyone to vote and endorsed Karen Bass for the Los Angeles mayoral race, but made no further reference to Whitmer.

Still, the Whitmer campaign has since bragged about the successful night and the successful rally, even without an in-person assist from Johnson.

"I love this campus," Whitmer told the crowd near MSU. "The best years of my life were on this campus. We wanted to close out with energy, young people and a great band."

According to the latest RealClearPolitics polling average, Whitmer holds a one-point lead over Dixon.

New & More Embarrassing Explanations of Magic Johnson Photo Ops | DM CLIPS | Rubin Report
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New & More Embarrassing Explanations of Magic Johnson Photo Ops | DM CLIPS | Rubin Report

Newsom claims he removed mask for 'brief second' to snap photo with NBA legend. Photo evidence shows otherwise.



California Gov. Gavin Newsom stopped short on Monday of admitting that he made a mistake after he was caught, once again, not abiding by COVID-19 rules.

Instead, the Democratic governor defended himself and denied what photographic evidence clearly showed.

What is the background?

Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti (D) flouted COVID-19 mask rules while attending the NFC Championship Game at SoFi Stadium on Sunday.

By not wearing face coverings, the Democratic leaders violated a series of COVID restrictions, including California's universal indoor mask mandate (which was recently extended), Los Angeles County's mask guidelines, and those in place at SoFi Stadium.

Newsom's hypocrisy on COVID restrictions was exposed after NBA legend Magic Johnson posted a picture with Newsom on social media. In that photo, Newsom was not wearing a mask. Johnson also posted photos with Garcetti and San Francisco Mayor London Breed (D), neither of whom were wearing masks.

Hanging out at SoFi Stadium today!pic.twitter.com/XfotiRLGz9
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@Earvin Magic Johnson) 1643597831

How did Newsom respond?

At a press conference, Newsom abdicated all responsibility for skirting COVID rules, instead saying he removed his mask only for the photo with Johnson.

"I was very judicious yesterday, very judicious," Newsom claimed.

"You’ll see the photo that I did take, where Magic was kind enough, generous enough, to ask me for a photograph and in my left hand’s the mask and I took the photo," he explained. "The rest of the time I wore it as we all should, um — not when I had a glass of water — and I encourage everybody else to do so. And, uh, that’s it."

When one reporter asked Newsom if he should have "reconsidered" taking his mask off "given your history with this issue" — a clear reference to Newsom's serial hypocrisy on COVID restrictions — Newsom almost admitted that he had made a mistake, but stopped short of actually saying that.

"Yes, of course. I was trying to be gracious. I made a mis — I was trying to be gracious," he said. "I took the mask off for a brief second, but no, I encourage people to continue to wear them."

NEW: Here\u2019s how Governor Newsom responded to questions about the photo of him not wearing a mask at SoFi stadium last night. \n\nHe stops short of saying he made a mistake, says California\u2019s \u2018endemic plan\u2019 is coming soon.pic.twitter.com/ib8hCanc1a
— Ashley Zavala (@Ashley Zavala) 1643655516

Is that true?

The Los Angeles Rams' "fan cam" caught Newsom without his mask on while sitting in his seat. At the time the picture was taken, it was not the "brief second" that he met with Johnson for the photograph.

Newsom's mask was down around his face, dangling from one ear. He was not eating or drinking. Interestingly, none of the people around him were wearing masks, either.

Gov. Newsom is sitting on the right with the face mask dangling from his ear. (Image source: LA Rams "fan cam" screenshot)

Staples Won’t Say If It Respects Police Who Protect LA Lakers Arena

A spokeswoman for Staples refuses to say whether the company respects law enforcement guarding the arena where NBA Star LeBron James plays.