Barack Obama presented Presidential medal to Ellen Degeneres, Michael Jordan and 19 others

President Barack Obama hosted 21 luminaries for their contributions to the United States, the most notable being Ellen Degeneres, and Michael Jordan.

Stuff reports that the Presidential medal is the United State's highest civilian honour and Obama has awarded it to 21 highly performing actors, musicians, athletes and innovators who the President feels is worthy of the medal. Obama reportedly has said that everyone on this stage has touched him in a powerful, personal way, and helped him make him for what he is.

Barack Obama has reportedly said that Ellen Degeneres has an intrinsic talent to make people laugh at something, and not at someone. The current President also said that he is in awe of how Ellen risked her career nearly twenty years ago, when he came out as gay.

The Huffington Post reports that Ellen Degeneres, one of the most beloved talk show hosts in America, almost could not enter the ceremony, as she was'nt allowed entry. Degeneres reportedly learnt the hard way as she headed to receive a medal from Barack Obama, but couldnt get past the gates. All because she forgot her ID.

The comedienne tweeted that she could'nt be let into the White House as she was supposed to be honoured with the likes of Michael Jordan, Lorne Michaels, Diana Ross and Bruce Springsteen. But once she was allowed in, she celebrated with the other honorees by delving into the mannequin challenge, perhaps the most star studded of all challenges.

Barack Obama said that it was easy to forget how far America has come with regard to equal marriage, but the courage required for Ellen to come out of the closet almost twenty years ago, was indeed a commendable act. When Ellen Degeneres went to the podium to receive the award from President Obama, she was full of tears.