Ellen DeGeneres tears up while receiving Presidential Medal of Freedom

By Tribute on November 23, 2016 | 4 Comments


Ellen DeGeneres receives the President Medal of FreedomAfter over 30 years of making millions of people laugh, cry, and laugh some more, Ellen DeGeneres has been awarded the highest honor a U.S. civilian can possibly receive — the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

At a ceremony in the East Room of the White House on Tuesday (Nov. 22), the talk show host was one of 21 stars who received the prestigious medal from President Barack Obama.

It was an emotional moment for the 58-year-old Finding Dory star, who visibly teared up as President Obama placed the medal around her shoulders, following an incredibly moving introduction that praised Ellen’s fearless advocacy for equality.

“In a career spanning three decades, Ellen DeGeneres has lifted our spirits and brought joy to our lives as a stand-up comic, actor, and television star. In every role, she reminds us to be kind to one another and to treat people as each of us wants to be treated. At pivotal moments, her courage and candor helped change the minds and hearts of millions of Americans, accelerating our nation’s constant drive toward equality and acceptance for all,” a White House aide said with Ellen and Obama by his side.

He concluded, “Ellen DeGeneres has shown us that a single individual can make the world a more fun, more open, more loving place, so long as we ‘just keep swimming.'”

Although she was one of the guests of honor, the comedy legend almost didn’t make it to the ceremony because of a snafu with her ID. Always ready to make light of a situation, she tweeted, “They haven’t let me in to the White House yet because I forgot my ID. #NotJoking #PresidentialMedalOfFreedom,” along with a photo of herself looking forlorn in her dapper red-checked suit.

However, Ellen was able to join her fellow honorees, which included Tom Hanks, Robert De Niro, Diana Ross, Robert Redford, Bruce Springsteen, Bill and Melinda Gates, NBA star Michael Jordan, Saturday Night Live creator Lorne Michaels, and more. ~Shelby Morton

Watch the emotional moment below. We dare you not to tear up, too!



Comments & Discussion

  1. Betsy • November 23, 2016 @ 1:08 PM

    Probably the last good thing to go down in the White House!

  2. Joanne Lawrence • November 24, 2016 @ 12:05 AM

    I would like to extend an invitation to President Barak Obama to be the next Prime Minister of Canada . 0ne day the American people will realize what they had. The brightest, most astute and kindest president in the history of the United States who tried to practice real democracy in a country that wants a dictator.

  3. Joanne Lawrence • November 24, 2016 @ 12:05 AM

    I would like to extend an invitation to President Barak Obama to be the next Prime Minister of Canada . 0ne day the American people will realize what they had. The brightest, most astute and kindest president in the history of the United States who tried to practice real democracy in a country that wants a dictator.

  4. Mike Hunt` • February 2, 2017 @ 2:18 PM

    Joanne Lawrence – go change your stinky panties now.

    You have no idea of democracy – or what a dictator really is.
    Yes, the Petit Potaoe head you have as a PM now, shows a lot of signs of being a dictator, and has openly expressed his admiration of China`s & Cuba`s dictators – and is now trying to pass a bill to limit freedom of speech for non-islamic people. But with any luck, those who couldn`t be bothered to vote in the last election will see the tax and spend debt he has racked up, and will vote his pathtic, parasitic Butt out of office next term.
    Obama isn`t much better – pandering to celebrities and golfing were his biggest achievements during his years in office. Maybe that`s why you`re so enamoured of him – seems like he loves to laugh it up with the rich & famous.
    But that isn`t looking out for the best interests of the real people. Who paid his wages.


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