Biden Honors Bono A Reason To Smile Dan Rather and Team Steady Jan 5 Credit: Getty Images This week’s reason to smile is a twofer: not two songs, but two reasons to smile. On Saturday, President Joe Biden announced his final choices to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest American civilian honor. It’s an impressive list of honorees. But looking over the names, I was struck by a curious theme. Intended or not, it gave me a good chuckle. The recipients are a who’s who of those with a strong dislike of Donald Trump. Among those honored were: Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (arch nemesis of the president-elect) Billionaire Democratic fundraiser George Soros (longtime Republican bogeyman) Vogue editor Anna Wintour (who put First Lady Jill Biden on the cover of her magazine multiple times, but snubbed Melania Trump when she was in the White House) Those receiving posthumous awards included: Robert F. Kennedy (the medal was accepted by daughter Kerry Kennedy, rather than son RFK Jr.) Former Michigan Governor George Romney (the medal accepted by retiring Senator Mitt Romney, one of his sons) The full list of recipients is available here. “These 19 individuals are great leaders who have made America and the world a better place. They are great leaders because they are good people who have made extraordinary contributions to their country and the world,” read the White House statement. While every 2024 recipient is worthy of their own mention, we have chosen Bono as this week’s other reason to smile. He’s also the only honoree known for his music. Bono is the lead singer of the rock band U2. He is an activist and philanthropist who focuses on AIDS and poverty. He’s also, by the way, no fan of Trump. Although Bono, born Paul Hewson, is Irish, his work and music reflect his love of this country. One of his most famous and inspiring songs, “Pride (In the Name of Love),” is about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “As lead singer of U2, one of the most successful rock bands in history, Bono changes the world through his art and activism in an Irish tradition of poetry and protest,” read his citation. “He has composed anthems to peace and civil rights … The common beat of his life’s work is the power of freedom, a tie that also binds Ireland and America as beloved friends.”