Every president of the modern era, starting with JFK, has given out the Presidential Medal of Freedom. No matter the party, the Medal has gone to cultural stars, great composers, directors, actors, etc.
But no one now will accept the Medal from Donald Trump. So he’s giving it to the single largest Republican donor, Miriam Adelson, wife of Sheldon Adelson, donors of $55 million-plus to the Republican Party.
Also receiving Medals are Babe Ruth and Elvis Presley. The former died in 1948, the latter in 1977. No living entertainment star will get a Medal. None wants it. One of two living sports stars on the list is Roger Staubach.
Other recipient include Senator Orrin Hatch, dead Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, and former NFL player and Minnesota jurist Alan C. Page, who is African American and selected, let’s face it, for the optics.
Of the two celebs, Ruth probably wouldn’t be so keen on getting award from Trump. Elvis loved Richard Nixon, so maybe he would have dug Trump. It’s unclear how Scientologist daughter Lisa Marie Presley feels, or her mom, Priscilla Presley.
This is a pathetic list issued by a hobbled White House. The Adelson honor is laughable, a joke. It’s done for money, and nothing else. Sheldon Adelson is so awful they had to give it to his wife instead of him.
