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Ellen DeGeneres receives White House medal, but forgets ID
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Actress, comedian, and talk show host Ellen DeGeneres, glances at President Barack Obama as she is presented the Presidential Medal of Freedom during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2016, in Washington. Obama is recognizing 21 Americans with the nation's highest civilian award, including giants of the entertainment industry, sports legends, activists and innovators. (AP/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
Oops! Not even a popular TV host is spared from the deadly “No ID, No Entry” policy of the White House.
Ellen DeGeneres was expected to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom from outgoing United States President Barack Obama on Wednesday but was denied entry merely because she had failed to bring her ID.
“They haven’t let me into the White House yet because I forgot my ID. #NotJoking #PresidentialMedalOfFreedom,” she said on Twitter and Instagram. She was honored for her philanthropic work and dedication to hosting her daytime show “Ellen,” Fox News reported.
After an hour, DeGeneres, 58, manages to squirm her way into the White House but froze with other honorees to join the Mannequin Challenge, the newest internet craze participated in by American athletes and celebrities. Diana Ross’ daughter Tracee posted the #MannequinChallenge video on Instagram.
(Read also: Why the Mannequin Challenge is the latest internet sensation)
A video posted by Tracee Ellis Ross (@traceeellisross) on
A tearful DeGeneres, who advanced LGBT equality for two decades, received the medal from Obama.
Sharing the stage alongside DeGeneres were other Presidential Medal of Freedom recipients this year including Robert De Niro, Tom Hanks, Diana Ross, Michael Jordan and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Other individuals who were recognized for their efforts were Elouise Cobell (posthumous), Maya Lin, Eduardo Padron, Bill and Melinda Gates, Newt Minow, Robert Redford, Lorne Michaels, Bring Springsteen, Vin Scully, Margaret Hamilton, Frank Gehry, Richard Garwin, Grace Hopper (posthumous) and Cicely Tyson.
Upon receiving her medal, DeGeneres posted a selfie with wife, Portia de Rossi, captioning it with, “I hope it serves as an ID. I have no idea how I’m getting home.”
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian honor in the US and is bestowed on individuals who have made great contributions to the development of the country.
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
A photo posted by Ellen (@theellenshow) on
This article appeared on the Philippine Daily Inquirer newspaper website, which is a member of Asia News Network and a media partner of The Jakarta Post
