Online progressives and leftists on Saturday attacked humanitarian activist Bono and chef Jose Andrés, who received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Joe Biden, claiming they support genocide. .
Bono, the world-famous Irish frontman for rock band U2, and Jose Andres, a Spanish-born chef who made a name for himself for his philanthropic work with the World Central Kitchen program, are recipients of the Presidential Medal of Honor. They were 2 out of 19 people. Saturday, the highest civilian honor available in America: Liberty.
WASHINGTON DC – JANUARY 4: U2 singer Bono receives the Presidential Medal of Freedom from US President Joe Biden on January 4, 2025 in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC. President Biden will award the nation’s highest civilian honor to 19 recipients. Tom Brenner/Getty Images
Both celebrities have received liberal praise in the past for their philanthropy and compassion, but pro-Palestinian activists say President Biden’s presidency “X” criticized him for appearing with him.
“If José Andrés not only gains influence, but also the starving Palestinians and their Palestinian staff in the Gaza Strip (who were targeted and killed by Israeli weapons funded by Biden himself) If I hadn’t cared about this, I would have rejected this award on principle. Shameful,” activist Miranda Cleland wrote on Sunday. (Related article: Celebrity immigrant chef with long-standing feud with President Trump closes DC restaurant in protest)
What if Jose Andres not only gained influence but also cared about starving Palestinians and their Palestinian staff in the Gaza Strip (who were targeted and killed by Israeli weapons funded by Biden himself)? If I hadn’t kept it, I would have refused the award on principle. Get past the embarrassment. https://t.co/z05SpU04Ii
— Miranda Cleland (@MirandaCleland) January 5, 2025
Activists bashed Mr. Andres despite the fact that his charity is active in providing charity and aid to Palestinians amid the conflict between Israel and Hamas. However, the World Central Kitchen (WCK) suspended its operations in Gaza in April after the Israel Defense Forces fired a missile at a WCK convoy, killing seven WCK aid workers. WCK resumed operations, but ceased operations again in November following Israeli air strikes. One more thing Their convoy in Gaza. The IDF claimed it attacked WCK personnel who took part in the October 7 Hamas attack. According to Associated Press. WCK said there was no information that any of the workers in the vehicle that was hit were involved in the attack.
“I love Chef, but how could he accept this award from a genocide leader?” Chef’s staff were killed by evil Israel with American money, and if I were you, I’d say Genocide Joe. I would have told him to fuck off,” said Christine Morrison, another X user. I wrote Monday.
“It’s insane to me that he was willing to show up to accept this,” said Will Menaker, co-host of the popular left-wing podcast “Chapo Trap House.” I wrote Sunday.
Another popular account There’s a chimesimply told Andres, “You’re trash.”
WASHINGTON DC – JANUARY 4: (Pictured left) Chef José Andres and U2 singer Bono pose with animals in the East Room of the White House on Sunday, ahead of receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom by US President Joe Biden. Supporting behaviorist and conservationist Dr. Jane Goodall. January 4, 2025, Washington, DC. President Biden will award the nation’s highest civilian honor to 19 recipients. Tom Brenner/Getty Images
Criticism of Andres also extended to Bono. Despite his well-documented history of humanitarian work and philanthropy, the left continued to attack him. (Related: U2’s Bono appears grateful for ending genocide in new documentary)
“Biden is giving the award because Bono is the only Irish Catholic who doesn’t care about the Palestinians,” said Jeet Heer, a writer for the left-wing magazine The Nation. said. said At X.
Many of Bono’s compatriots expressed disdain for his actions.
“Irish rock star Bono shows what he’s managed to ignore for 15 months Gaza massacre It really pays off,” says an Irish blogger. I wrote.
“As an Irishman, I am disgusted by this image. We stand with the oppressed. We do not support the evil murderous monsters of the imperialists. Tens of thousands of us are here protesting against this evil. Shame on Bono,” Irish musician Martin Leahy tweeted on Sunday.
As an Irishman, I find this image disgusting.
We stand with the oppressed.
We do not support imperialist evil murderous monsters.
Tens of thousands of us are here protesting against this evil.
I feel bad for Bono. pic.twitter.com/2bRzNM7ETL
— Martin Leahy (@TheNewReview2) January 5, 2025
One activist is simple. tweeted “Bono is an asshole.”
