‘Pod Save America’ host: ‘Biden did not return the favor’ with Medal of Freedom for Obama

Jon Favreau, a host of “Pod Save America,” highlighted in a recent podcast episode that President Biden “did not return the favor” after being awarded the Presidential Medal by former President Obama. 

Favreau, alongside co-hosts and fellow former Obama aides Jon Lovett and Tommy Vietor, discussed the recipients of the nation’s highest civilian honor. While talking about the topic, with some laughter, Favreau pointed out Obama presented Biden with a Medal of Freedom in 2017, but the outgoing president did not “return the favor” during his term.

“Obama gave one to Biden, and Biden did not return the favor,” Favreau said during the podcast episode released Tuesday. 

“That’s interesting,” Lovett said.

“Yeah, well,” Favreau responded, while laughing.

“I guess they’re not really on speaking terms, I suppose, after all that’s happened!” Lovett added with a laugh. 

Obama gave Biden the country’s highest civilian honor in January 2017, saying during the ceremony that “to know Joe Biden is to know love without pretense, service without self-regard, and to live life fully.” 

Despite leading the country from 2009-17, Biden and Obama have had, at times, a tense relationship. Obama and his aides discouraged Biden from running against former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in 2015 in the Democratic Party primary. Clinton ended up losing to Donald Trump in the 2016 general election.

Last weekend, Biden honored 19 individuals with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, honoring prominent individuals in fashion, sports, entertainment, activism and politics. 

Among the 2025 recipients were actor Michael J. Fox, chef José Andrés, science educator Bill Nye, philanthropist David Rubenstein and actor Denzel Washington. Two honorees — Clinton and billionaire philanthropist George Soros — sparked heavy backlash from political observers, particularly on the right. 

“Joe Biden gave the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Hillary Clinton and George Soros instead of Daniel Penny,” Rep. Eli Crane (R-Ariz.) wrote on social media. “Says all you need to know. Counting down to January 20th.”