Family Denounces RBG Awards Going To Elon Musk, Rupert Murdoch

The family of the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg called out the Dwight D. Opperman Foundation on Friday for choosing to bestow the RBG Award on Tesla CEO Elon Musk and conservative media mogul Rupert Murdoch.

The foundation announced in a news release Wednesday that Musk, Murdoch, actor Sylvester Stallone, lifestyle entrepreneur Martha Stewart and financier Michael Milken will be this year’s recipients of the prestigious RGB Award, which was created in honor of the liberal lawyer and justice.

Brendan V. Sullivan Jr., chair of the RBG Award, said the recipients “reflect the integrity and achievement that defined Justice Ginsburg’s career and legend.”

But in a statement first reported by Mother Jones, Ginburg’s family described the foundation’s choices as an “affront to the memory of our mother and grandmother, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.”

Throughout her 27 years on the Supreme Court, Ginsburg was seen as a champion for gender equality. She fought heavily against gender discrimination by pushing to preserve abortion rights, address the gender pay gap and protect pregnant women in the workforce, USA Today reported.

Although the family’s statement did not name specific recipients, it appeared to point to controversial figures Musk and Murdoch.

Musk, who has positioned himself as an proponent of free speech, has been criticized for endorsing antisemitic conspiracy theories and content on X (formerly Twitter). He has also faced claims from civil rights groups that his leadership has allowed hate speech to spread on the platform since he purchased it in 2022.

Murdoch has not been immune to criticism either. Before stepping down as chairman last year, the media tycoon spent decades reigning over the conservative media empires of Fox Corp. and News Corp. Fox Corp.’s Fox News frequently showcased Donald Trump during his 2016 campaign and presidency and continues to amplify his messages and his allies as he runs again for the presidency.

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