Even Ellen needs ID
Who says Presidential Medal of Freedom honorees have to bring an ID to get into the White House?
Apparently, the Secret Service does, as comedian Ellen DeGeneres experienced a delay in getting into a ceremony in which she and 20 others were honored with the nation’s highest civilian award.
DeGeneres, sitting on a park bench before the ceremony, tweeted, “They haven’t let me in to the White House yet because I forgot my ID.” She added, “(hashtag)NotJoking.”
Not to worry: DeGeneres made it in time.
President Barack Obama said in honoring her that she has a way of making people laugh at something rather than someone, “except when I danced on her show.” Obama also praised her courage in coming out as gay nearly two decades ago. DeGeneres had tears in her eyes. According to a White House press release, the Medal of Freedom is awarded 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.”
Receiving the award was not the only thing DeGeneres did at the White House. She also joined an epic Mannequin Challenge with other celebrities: Robert De Niro, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Bill Gates, Michael Jordan, Diana Ross and Tracee Ellis Ross.