President Joe Biden presented Sir Elton John with the National Humanities Medal on Friday, surprising the music icon following a performance on the South Lawn of the White House. “I’m never flabbergasted, but I’m flabbergasted,” John said visibly moved. , thanking the president and saying he will “treasure” the honor. Watch John’s reaction to receiving the medal in the video above. The medal, according to Friday’s presentation, was to honor John “for moving our souls with his powerful voice and “one of the defining songbooks of all time. An enduring icon and advocate with absolute courage, who found purpose in challenging convention, breaking stigma and advancing the simple truth – that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.” Biden said he and first lady Jill Biden had invited John to the White House to thank him and praised the singer for his music and his advocacy in the global fight against HIV/AIDS. .we are free to be themselves, to be treated with the dignity and respect they deserve. Families and HIV/AIDS Advocates. A fight he fought with sheer willpower, a fight for those lost lives and those we can save. Leaders who champion equality for all, no matter who you are or who you love,” the president said. and “Tiny Dancer”, during the concert titled “A Night When Hope and History Rhyme”, in conjunction with A&E Networks and The History Channel. civil rights attorney Ruby Bridges, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, as well as teachers, nurses, LGBTQ advocates and military families, whom the White House has dubbed “the everyday story makers”. Speaking between songs, John addressed former First Lady Laura Bush, who was also present, acknowledged former President George W. Bush’s “astonishing” work on the presidential emergency plan for the fight against AIDS, which he launched during his tenure and which is credited with changing the trajectory of the HIV/AIDS crisis around the world. “I want to tell the first lady, President Bush sped it all up with his PEPFAR bill. It was the most amazing thing,” John said, asking Laura Bush to give her husband a hug in his name. The fight to end the HIV epidemic, John said, is one of the few truly bipartisan issues in the United States, adding, “I just wish America could be more bipartisan on everything.” The night had moments of levity, such as when John lightened the mood as he took the stage, joking, “I don’t know what to say. What a dump,” eliciting laughter from the attendees. emotion, including when Biden could be seen wiping away tears while John sang “Crocodile Rock. The singer previewed the song saying it meant a lot to the president, who used singing with his children while driving them to school.The White House Pool reported that later in life, the song helped Biden connect with his son Beau as he died of brain cancer and was unable to communicate well. Biden, who noted his family “like so many Americans” love John’s music, ended the program with thanks. “On behalf of the American people, thank you – and I say this sincerely – to have touched the soul of our nation,” he told John.
President Joe Biden presented Sir Elton John with the National Humanities Medal on Friday, surprising the music icon following a performance on the South Lawn of the White House.
“I’m never flabbergasted, but I’m flabbergasted,” a visibly moved John said, thanking the president and saying he’ll “treasure” the honor.
Watch John’s reaction to receiving the medal in the video above.
The medal, according to Friday’s presentation, was to honor John “for stirring our souls with his powerful voice and one of the defining songbooks of all time. An enduring icon and an advocate with absolute courage, who found a purpose to challenge convention, break down stigma and advance the simple truth – that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.”
Biden said he and First Lady Jill Biden invited John to the White House to thank him and praised the singer for his music and his advocacy in the global fight against HIV/AIDS.
“As Jill just mentioned, we are joined by so many people who … he is free to be himself, to be treated with the dignity and respect he deserves. Families and advocates for the fight against HIV/AIDS. A fight he fought with pure will, a fight for those lives lost and those we can save. Leaders who stand up for the equality of all, no matter who you are or who you love “said the president.
John was greeted with standing ovations as he performed a number of hit songs including ‘Your Song’, ‘Rocket Man’ and ‘Tiny Dancer’ at the concert titled ‘A Night When Hope and History Rhyme’ , in collaboration with A&E Networks and La Chaîne historique.
About 2,000 guests were invited to the event and attendees included VIPs and government officials such as civil rights advocate Ruby Bridges, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, as well as teachers, nurses, LGBTQ advocates and military families, who the White House dubbed “everyday story makers.”
Speaking between songs, John addressed former first lady Laura Bush, who was also in attendance, acknowledging former President George W. Bush’s “amazing” work on the presidential emergency plan for the fight against AIDS, which he launched during his tenure and which is credited with changing the trajectory of the HIV/AIDS crisis in the world.
“I want to tell the first lady, President Bush sped it all up with his PEPFAR bill. It was the most amazing thing,” John said, asking Laura Bush to give her husband a hug in his name.
The fight to end the HIV epidemic, John said, is one of the few truly bipartisan issues in the United States, adding, “I just wish America could be more bipartisan on everything.”
The night had moments of levity, such as when John lightened the mood as he took to the stage, joking, “I don’t know what to say. What a dump,” prompting laughter from the attendees. And it also stirred emotion, especially when Biden could be seen wiping away tears as John sang “Crocodile Rock.”
The singer previewed the song saying it meant a lot to the president, who used to sing it with his children while driving them to school. The White House Pool reported that later in life, the song helped Biden connect with his son Beau as he died of brain cancer and was unable to communicate well.
Biden, who noted that his family “like so many Americans” love John’s music, ended the program with thanks.
“On behalf of the American people, thank you — and I say this sincerely — for touching the soul of our nation,” he told John.
