Outgoing US President Barack Obama honored 21 inspiring individuals with the Presidential Freedom Award, the highest civilian award the US president can bestow.
Ellen DeGeneres was one of the recipients of the said award, and apparently, Obama admitted to getting a little “choked up” while presenting DeGeneres with the award.
Even before she received her award, DeGeneres has already shed quite a few tears. The president gave her a consoling pat on the back.
Obama also praised DeGeneres for being courageous in coming out as gay some two decades ago. Obama said, “It’s easy to forget now just how much courage was required for Ellen to come out on the most public of stages 20 years ago.”
Other awardees included Tom Hanks, Robert De Niro, Robert Redford, Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bruce Springsteen, and Diana Ross.
The Presidential Freedom Award is given for meritorious contributions to the national interests of the United States, to its culture, or to other significant endeavors.
What do you think of this momentous event? So much inspiration, right?
