President Obama Awards Ellen DeGeneres Medal of Freedom After ID Mishap
Ellen DeGeneres was initially denied entry to the White House today (November 22), after leaving her ID at home. But worry not: She made it inside eventually, when she was then presented with a Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama.
DeGeneres tweeted about the identification mishap, posting a photo of herself seated on a bench with the caption, “They haven’t let me in to the White House yet because I forgot my ID. #NotJoking #PresidentialMedalOfFreedom.”
The talk show host eventually sorted things out and posted a video of herself doing the Mannequin Challenge inside the White House. Check that out below:
DeGeneres was just one of 21 recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which is considered one of the highest civilian honors and is presented “to individuals who have made especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors,” according to the White House.
The official site also posted a blurb about DeGeneres -- as well as the other medal recipients -- online, writing, “In 1997, after coming out herself, DeGeneres made TV history when her character on Ellen revealed she was a lesbian. In her work and in her life, she has been a passionate advocate for equality and fairness."
DeGeneres posted one final photo from the event of herself with wife Portia de Rossi, writing, "Barack Obama just awarded me the #MedalofFreedom. I hope it serves as an ID. I have no idea how I'm getting home."
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