Biden issues surprise medal at NATO and turns up pageantry with presidency on the line

Published July 9, 2024 7:17pm ET



President Joe Biden stepped onto the world stage when he addressed the opening ceremony of the 75th NATO summit as Democrats reconsider him as their nominee this election cycle.

Using the trappings of the presidency, Biden contrasted himself to former President Donald Trump during his remarks, which were delivered from a teleprompter. But he also borrowed from his predecessor’s political playbook by awarding a surprised outgoing NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg the country’s highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

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