Elon Musk and Rupert Murdoch's RBG Awards Ceremony Scrapped
The late Supreme Court justice’s family had called the proposed recipients list an “affront” to her memory.
U.S. News: Elon Musk and Rupert Murdoch's RBG Awards Ceremony Cancelled Amid Backlash
The planned RBG Awards ceremony, where Elon Musk, Rupert Murdoch, and others were set to receive an award in the name of the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg, will no longer take place as scheduled, according to an announcement by the foundation running the event. The cancellation comes after facing backlash from the family of the late Supreme Court justice.
Julie Opperman, chair of the Dwight D. Opperman Foundation, stated that the ceremony, which was originally planned for April 2024, will be canceled. She addressed the criticisms surrounding this year's list of recipients, which included Martha Stewart, Sylvester Stallone, and Michael Milken, a financier who was convicted on felony fraud counts and later pardoned by Donald Trump. Opperman emphasized that the foundation's goal is to do good and not to create controversy.
The award, initially named the Ruth Bader Ginsburg Woman of Leadership Award when it was first presented four years ago, included men as recipients for the first time this year. Upon the announcement of the 2024 honorees, Ginsburg's daughter expressed her dissatisfaction, stating that the selections were an affront to her mother's memory. She made it clear that the family does not support using Ginsburg's name to celebrate this year's awardees.
Former colleagues of the late justice and even Barbra Streisand, who accepted the award last year, joined the family in condemning the selections. In response, Opperman stated that the foundation named after her late husband has no intention of generating a debate about the worthiness of honorees. She acknowledged that Ginsburg's concept of equality for women was controversial during her lifetime but emphasized that the foundation does not intend to engage in that debate.
Opperman further expressed that the foundation did not intend to offend the family and friends of Ginsburg. The purpose of the awards was solely to remember her and honor her leadership. While maintaining that each of the honorees is worthy of respect for their leadership and notable contributions, Opperman mentioned that the foundation will reevaluate its mission over the next few months and decide on how or whether to proceed in the future. They will seek a way forward that can bring honor and joy to the process with minimal controversy.
- Dan Ladden-Hall, News Correspondent
*For any tips, please send them to The Daily Beast at dan.hall@thedailybeast.com.*
The planned RBG Awards ceremony, where Elon Musk, Rupert Murdoch, and others were set to receive an award in the name of the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg, will no longer take place as scheduled, according to an announcement by the foundation running the event. The cancellation comes after facing backlash from the family of the late Supreme Court justice.
Julie Opperman, chair of the Dwight D. Opperman Foundation, stated that the ceremony, which was originally planned for April 2024, will be canceled. She addressed the criticisms surrounding this year's list of recipients, which included Martha Stewart, Sylvester Stallone, and Michael Milken, a financier who was convicted on felony fraud counts and later pardoned by Donald Trump. Opperman emphasized that the foundation's goal is to do good and not to create controversy.
The award, initially named the Ruth Bader Ginsburg Woman of Leadership Award when it was first presented four years ago, included men as recipients for the first time this year. Upon the announcement of the 2024 honorees, Ginsburg's daughter expressed her dissatisfaction, stating that the selections were an affront to her mother's memory. She made it clear that the family does not support using Ginsburg's name to celebrate this year's awardees.
Former colleagues of the late justice and even Barbra Streisand, who accepted the award last year, joined the family in condemning the selections. In response, Opperman stated that the foundation named after her late husband has no intention of generating a debate about the worthiness of honorees. She acknowledged that Ginsburg's concept of equality for women was controversial during her lifetime but emphasized that the foundation does not intend to engage in that debate.
Opperman further expressed that the foundation did not intend to offend the family and friends of Ginsburg. The purpose of the awards was solely to remember her and honor her leadership. While maintaining that each of the honorees is worthy of respect for their leadership and notable contributions, Opperman mentioned that the foundation will reevaluate its mission over the next few months and decide on how or whether to proceed in the future. They will seek a way forward that can bring honor and joy to the process with minimal controversy.
- Dan Ladden-Hall, News Correspondent
*For any tips, please send them to The Daily Beast at dan.hall@thedailybeast.com.*