Ellen DeGeneres Tears Up As She Receives Medal Of Freedom Award Despite Initially Denied Entrance To White House

By Joyce Vega - 24 Nov '16 01:18AM

Ellen DeGeneres is among 21 the recipients of Presidential Medal of Freedom in the White House. But, famous TV star forgot her ID and wasn’t allowed to enter the ceremony. She tweeted about this misadventure with a photo of her sitting in a park nearby.

According to the White House website, the Presidential Medal of Freedom award is given to civilians who have given praiseworthy contributions to various significant public or private concerns like world peace, cultural endeavors, security or national interests of the United States. It is the highest award that can be given to a civilian by the President of the United States.

USA Today reports that in the speech delivered by president Obama, DeGeneres was marked as great philanthropist and professional. DeGeneres came out as a lesbian in 1997 when she was working on a TV show Ellen. She first came out as a character which leads to her coming out in personal life as well. Because of her influence, she received Presidential Medal of Freedom from Barack Obama, which would be one of his last activities as USA president. DeGeneres was very emotional as she receives the prestigious award.There were 21 other recipients of the award, a few among them were DeGeneres’ fellow TV personalities the famous Robert De Niro and Tom Hanks.

However, aside from being in the news because of receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom award, Just Jared reports that the famous comedian and LGBT activist made the news for not being allowed to enter the White House as she forgot to bring her ID. At first she tweeted photo of herself sitting on park bench and commented that she couldn’t get in the White House.

They haven't let me in to the White House yet because I forgot my ID. #NotJoking #PresidentialMedalOfFreedom pic.twitter.com/sHocwqChKV

— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) November 22, 2016