Award in Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s name given to Elon Musk and Rupert Murdoch is a ‘desecration’ of her memory, son says

TFD – Delve into the controversy sparked by Jim Ginsburg as he criticizes the award presented to Elon Musk and Rupert Murdoch in honor of Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Understand the implications on Ginsburg’s legacy and the ongoing debate surrounding the Opperman Foundation’s decision.

The late liberal Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s son claimed on Sunday that presenting SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and wealthy conservative media magnate Rupert Murdoch with an award in his mother’s honor is a “desecration of my mother’s memory.”

Jim Ginsburg said to Paula Reid on “CNN Newsroom,” “I don’t want to speak to what our other plans might be if the foundation doesn’t see the wisdom of desisting and ending this desecration of my mother’s memory, but I will say that we will continue to fight this.”

Ginsburg’s family recently demanded that her name be removed from the prize and criticized the choice of this year’s finalists in a letter to the Opperman Foundation, which grants the award and is independent of the family.

The foundation states that the Ginsburg award “celebrates leaders who have demonstrated extraordinary accomplishments in their chosen fields.” Although it was formerly intended just for women, this year’s prize now recognizes both men and women.

Along with Musk and Murdoch, other 2024 winners of the prize include businessman Michael Milken, actor Sylvester Stallone, and lifestyle icon Martha Stewart. 2023 saw Barbra Streisand receive this distinction.

Jim Ginsburg responded, “Well, we could discuss that, but yeah, the particular awardees, and we can discuss the wisdom of each one, but the two that obviously stand out here are Elon Musk and Rupert Murdoch.” When asked if he took issue with men now receiving the award or with the recipients themselves.

“Those are probably the last names that would come to mind when you think of trying to create a more just society, which was of course Mom’s ultimate goal,” he said.

He then told Reid, “I think she’d be appalled.”

CNN contacted the Opperman Foundation on Friday, but they did not reply. Inquiries regarding Jim Ginsburg’s interview were also made to CNN on Sunday evening.

Longtime liberal justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who passed away in 2020 at the age of 87, regularly cast liberal votes on important social issues like immigration, same-sex marriage, and abortion rights.

According to the Opperman Foundation, the 2024 awardees encompass a wide spectrum of professions and sectors, from trailblazing innovators to seasoned veterans.

Stewart was on Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s “original wish list of potential honorees,” the foundation said in the announcement. The organization recognized Murdoch as “the most iconic living legend in media” and praised Musk’s “stratospheric accomplishments.”

However, Jim Ginsburg claimed that the recipients did not embody the values that his mother did.

He continued, “I believe that these are individuals who, in terms of attempting to… improve the world, for people aiming for equality and for a more inclusive world where everybody is treated with respect, pretty much stand against all the things that she stood for.”