Oprah-Connected Charities Took Almost $300K In Federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Funding

Just a few day ago, I commented here on her looks when she interviewed the British royalty!

When rich celebrities game the system! Do you wonder why lower income people do the same when they can?

"Kanye West, Robert Redford, and Francis Ford Coppola weren’t the only entertainers with affiliated businesses or non-profits that reaped large Covid bailouts from Congress last year. ...
In April 2020, that same club [Oprah Winfrey Boys & Girls Club of Kosciusko/Attal County], named after one of the most well-known billionaires in the entire country, turned to the federal government to get a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan – backed by taxpayers – for $97,694. Furthermore, the Oprah unit of the Boys & Girls Club of East Mississippi —under whose umbrella the Oprah Winfrey Boys & Girls Club in Kosciusko falls— received a federal PPP loan in the amount of $193,366. ..."

Oprah-Connected Charities Took Almost $300K In Federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Funding (behind paywall)

"The overall [PPP] subsidies are quite breathtaking.

Kanye West, who just declared for president and claims a net worth of $1.3 billion, took between $2 million and $5 million for his clothing and sneaker company, Yeezy LLC.

Robert Redford’s Sundance Institute received between $2 million and $5 million in lending. The non-profit’s latest IRS 990 lists $55.4 million in assets (FY2018).

Then, there is Francis Ford Coppola the legendary filmmaker of the Godfather and other movies.

Coppola is also a renowned wine maker and two of his affiliated companies received PPP funding including Francis Ford Coppola Presents LLC ($5 million to $10 million);and Niebaum Coppola Estate Winery, LP ($1 million - $2 million).

A spokesperson responded to our request for comment:

“Francis Ford Coppola Winery and Niebaum Coppola Estate Winery, LP applied for the PPP loans based on business necessity and are using the entirety of the loans on wages and benefits to save the employment of its wineries, hospitality, and restaurant workforce during these uncertain times.  ..." (Source)

Oprah Winfrey

Does she not look more and more bizarre? E.g. the hair style during her latest interview with the British royalty

Presidential Medals Of Freedom For U.S. Presidents?

President Clinton Receives Medal Of Freedom From President Obama

Was that not a photogenic picture gracing the news this week (11/20/2013)?

Medal of Freedom for Oprah Winfrey as well who just accused critics of President Obama of being racists without using the word racists of course? And she just had that racist moment on a visit to Switzerland.

A Bit Of History

Including the history of the predecessor Medal Of Freedom by President Truman created in 1946-1961 and was then replaced by today’s Presidential Medal Of Freedom since 1963.

The predecessor medal was apparently never awarded to former U.S. Presidents.

Since the successor medal was introduced in 1963, eight former U.S. Presidents received this medal (source).

Presidents J. F. Kennedy and L. B Johnson received them posthumously.

President Reagan (R) received it from President G. H. W. Bush (R)  in 1993. Why did Reagan not decline it?

President Ford (R) received it from President Clinton (D) in 1999. That is a surprise.

President Carter (D) received it from President Clinton (D) in 1999.

President G. H. W. Bush  received it from President Obama (D) in 2011. That is a surprise.

What Have U.S. Presidents Actually Done Lately To Promote Freedom?

At least since President Theodore Roosevelt almost all U.S. Presidents since him and including him have severely curtailed individual freedom since the beginning of the 20th century. President Franklin D. Roosevelt is one of the worst offenders. More recently, we have to add the so eloquent and brilliant President Obama to this list.

Will former President Obama receive this award as well in the future? We hope not, it would be a travesty!

There Remains An Uneasy Feeling

Should U.S. Presidents decorate other U.S. Presidents with this medal? When will U.S. Presidents kindly decline such honors?