Why did Denzel Washington get the Presidential Medal of Freedom alongside Hillary Clinton? Take a look at their contributions to society.

Denzel Washington is one of nineteen celebrities that has been honored with a Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Joe Biden. In a video of Washington receiving the highest civilian honor, he holds the medal to his neck, nearly emotional, as Biden fastens it. Afterward, Washington turns around and embraces the president.

In a momentous White House ceremony on January 2, 2025, veteran actor Denzel Washington joined the distinguished ranks of Presidential Medal of Freedom

As Joe Biden's presidency comes to its conclusion, he has named his final recipients of the Medal of Freedom, including Michael J. Fox, Denzel Washington, Bill Nye, and more.

Washington — President Biden is awarding the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, to Hillary Clinton and 18 others "who have made America a better place," the White House announced Saturday.

The White House said the Medal of Freedom recipients have made “exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace, or other significant societal, public or private endeavors.

Denzel Washington joined 17 other honorees in receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom at the White House over the weekend.

For the last time as president, Joe Biden doled out the nation’s highest civilian honor on Saturday to a batch of recipients that included former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and 18 other individuals known for their impact on policy, philanthropy and culture in the U.S. and around the world.

Bill Nye was recently awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in recognition of his dedication to science education.