Barack Obama made Ellen DeGeneres to burst into tears

U.S. Nilgun Salim
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Barack Obama decorated 21 American personalities during his last official event at the White House.

In total, the US president decorated 21 personalities with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States, reports BBC News.

Bruce Springsteen, Robert De Niro, Tom Hanks, Ellen DeGeneres, Diana Ross, Michael Jordan and Bill Gates were among those who received the distinction.

TV host Ellen DeGeneres, known for the show with the same name, burst into tears when the President placed the medal around her neck.

‘It’s easy to forget now after she came so far … how much courage it took Ellen to go out in public almost 20 years ago’, said President Obama during the emotional ceremony, highlighting the courage showcased by Ellen when she publicly admitted her sexual orientation in 1997. Barack Obama said that Ellen’s statements and courage pushed the country in the right direction.

Shortly after the ceremony, Ellen Degeneres convinced everyone to participate in the famous ‘mannequin’ challenge. The participants remained motionless for 33 seconds.

Barack Obama took advantage to decorate two NBA legends: Michael Jordan and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and singers Bruce Springsteen and Diana Ross. Also, actors Tom Hanks, Robert De Niro and Robert Redford became the new owners of the Presidential Medal.

‘There are many people who helped me to become who I am (…) Everyone here moved me in a powerful way, personally, as you cannot imagine’, were the words of President during the ceremony.