Obama honours Hollywood stars
US President Barack Obama has awarded the USA's highest civilian honor to various actors, musicians and athletes during a ceremony at the White House yesterday.
Among the recipients were, Ellen DeGeneres, Tom Hanks, Robert De Niro, Robert Redford, Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bruce Springsteen and Diana Ross.
Obama got choked up while presenting the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Ellen, saying it is easy to forget now just how much courage was required for Ellen to come out on the most public of stages 20 years ago.
"Again and again Ellen DeGeneres has shown us that a single individual can make the world a more fun, more open, and more loving place so long as we just keep swimming," Obama said.
Shortly after the ceremony, Ellen took to Instagram and posted a Mannequin Challenge video that included all of the recipients of the award.