Malibu, California – The family of the late liberal Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is calling for her name to be removed from an award after the Opperman Foundation included SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and media mogul Rupert Murdoch as recipients this year. In a statement obtained by CNN, Ginsburg’s family expressed their displeasure with the foundation’s selection of honorees, stating that it strayed from the values Ginsburg stood for.
The family emphasized that they were not associated with the award and denounced the choices of honorees as an insult to Ginsburg’s memory. A letter by Trevor Morrison, a former clerk of Ginsburg, supported the family’s stance, highlighting that not all recipients reflected the values that the Justice dedicated her career to upholding.
Ginsburg, known for her progressive stance on social issues such as abortion rights, same-sex marriage, and immigration, passed away at the age of 87 in 2020. Alongside Musk and Murdoch, other recipients of the award include lifestyle icon Martha Stewart, actor Sylvester Stallone, and financier Michael Milken.
The Opperman Foundation, responsible for honoring individuals who have demonstrated exceptional achievements in their respective fields, expanded the award this year to encompass both men and women. Past honorees have included women of distinction, with the 2023 recipient being Barbra Streisand.
Julie Opperman, chair of the foundation, expressed a commitment to honoring individuals who have positively impacted the world, reflecting on Ginsburg’s legacy of fighting for equality for all. While the foundation did not respond to inquiries regarding the controversy, it described this year’s honorees as groundbreaking innovators and seasoned professionals from various industries.
Acknowledging Stewart as a potential honoree on Ginsburg’s original wish list and crediting Musk for his monumental achievements, the foundation highlighted Murdoch as a legendary figure in the media industry. Murdoch himself emphasized his dedication to defending civil liberties and engaging in civil discourse, qualities that he believes align with Ginsburg’s legacy.
Both Ginsburg’s family and Morrison’s letter raised concerns about attaching the Justice’s name to recipients whose values may not align with her own. The decision to award individuals with the RBG Award was deemed a significant departure from Ginsburg’s legacy, emphasizing the need for honoring individuals who truly embody her values and principles.