Obama praised each of the two dozen recipients as “figures at the top of their fields”. They’re central to who we are as Americans: “dreamers and storytellers and innovators and visionaries”, Obama said. They both received National Medals of Arts.
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The annual event is typically a serious affair, held under the glittering chandeliers of the East Room.
Veteran comedian and filmmaker Mel Brooks did not let a White House ceremony stop him Thursday from joking around with President Obama, pretending to pull the commander in chief’s suit trousers down. We will all be arrested for this movie, ‘ ” said Obama, with Brooks sitting in the front row. Obama even quoted a line that Brooks had told his comedy writers for that film.
After President Obama places the medal around Brooks’ neck, Brooks bends over and appears to make a sweeping gesture with his arms, pretending to “pants” the President.
Actor Morgan Freeman was honoured, but was a no-show. Neither was able to attend the ceremony.
Echoing Senate Democrats, Earnest said Obama would like to have funding to address the water crisis in Flint, Mich., included in the bill.
“He never lets me have my moment”. Authors Rudolfo Anaya, Louis Menand and Ron Chernow are also on the list.
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The group could also be described as “Terry Gross and a whole bunch of people Terry Gross has interviewed”, Obama said.
