On Tuesday, President Joe Biden honored nearly two dozen individuals and groups during a White House ceremony, including Bruce Springsteen, Gladys Knight, and Julia Louis Dreyfus. He awarded medals to these honorees, praising their work for deepening the country’s “understanding of the humanities and broadening our citizen’s engagement with history, literature, philosophy, and so many other subjects.”
During the ceremony, Biden made a reference to a potential 2024 campaign while introducing author Colson Whitehead, who won two Pulitzer prizes for his consecutive novels “The Underground Railroad” and “The Nickel Boys.” Biden quipped, “How in the hell did you do that? Pretty good man. I’m kinda looking for back-to-back myself,” prompting a loud applause.
Biden has repeatedly said his intention is to run for reelection, but he has yet to make any formal announcement. The ceremony also included Biden’s praise for rock music icon Bruce Springsteen, joking that “some people are born to run.”
“Bruce Springsteen, a poet troubadour, chronicler of American life and resilience and hope and dreams, recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, along with 20 Grammys, an Oscar, a Tony, and an unyielding love from millions of fans across generations,” Biden said.
Biden introduced Dreyfus as “President Julia Louis Dreyfus” for her role as Selina Meyer in the hit HBO sitcom “Veep.”
“I’m gonna talk to Julia later whether she liked being VP or president better,” he joked. “I got to figure that one out.”
During the White House ceremony honoring American legends, President Biden recognized each honoree and highlighted their accomplishments in their respective fields.
Notable recipients included Gladys Knight, Mindy Kaling, Vera Wang, Bryan Stevenson, and writers such as Ann Patchet, Amy Tan, Walter Isaacson, and Tara Westover. Biden described Knight as the “Empress of Soul” and praised her contributions to music.
The President also made a playful remark about Kaling’s roots in Scranton, Pennsylvania, referencing her work on “The Office.”
Biden awards arts medals for the first time since taking office amidst COVID-19 pause; previously awarded Elton John with National Humanities Medal during White House concert last fall.
“You do make the country better, make it a better place,” Biden said to the 2021 awardees as the event came to a close.
