Culture

'RBG Award' Ceremony Canceled Over Objections to Musk, Murdoch

MAR 19 2024·Updated MAR 20 2024

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The Facts

The Dwight D. Opperman Foundation has canceled its Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg (RBG) Leadership Award for 2024, following criticism over the organization's choice of honorees.
Prnewswire
Without mentioning recipients, the late justice's family in a statement called this year's selections — which they have no say on — "an affront to the memory of our mother and grandmother." It's widely believed they're objecting to the honoring of Elon Musk and Rupert Murdoch.
wapo
Businesswoman Martha Stewart, actor Sylvester Stallone, and financier Michael Milken were set to be the other recipients for an award that in the past has been given to "women of prominence."
wapo
It's believed the family of the liberal icon was displeased because Murdoch is the leader of a conservative media empire and Musk has expressed several views that could be understood as right-wing in recent years.
wapo
In a statement, foundation chairperson Julie Opperman said the foundation didn't intend to "offend the family and friends of RBG" and it changed the award to reflect "RBG's teachings" in regard to equality. The foundation plans to "reconsider its mission" in the coming months.
Prnewswire
Ginsburg presented the foundation's first award in 2020 to philanthropist Agnes Gund. The late Queen Elizabeth II, fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg, and entertainer Barbra Streisand were prior honorees.
Prnewswire

Sources Split

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The Spin

Left narrative

Individuals like Musk and Murdoch have no business being near any award named after Ginsburg. But it's no surprise Opperman, a Republican donor, attempted to bestow the award on two sharers of her political views. The foundation and the award have lost all legitimacy.

Mother Jones

Right narrative

This award has always been apolitical, but because of the unfounded rhetoric of the Ginsburg family and left-leaning pundits, it now features exclusion. There's no reason why this award couldn't expand to include men and people with different political views. Cancel culture has struck again.

BizPac Review