Barack Obama handed out 123 Presidential Medals of Freedom during his eight-year tenure as President, though he admitted it was a ‘mistake’ to not give one to Dolly Parton.
Parton, 74, made headlines last month when it was revealed that her $1 million donation helped fund the research that ultimately lead to Moderna’s vaccine.
While Obama’s 123 Presidental Medals of Freedom is the most ever handed out since the award was established in 1963, Obama admitted on A Late Show With Stephen Colbert that he should have given her one.
Mistake: Barack Obama handed out 123 Presidential Medals of Freedom during his eight-year tenure as President, though he admitted it was a ‘mistake’ to not give one to Dolly Parton
Donation: Parton, 74, made headlines last month when it was revealed that her $1 million donation helped fund the research that ultimately lead to Moderna’s vaccine
Obama, 59, took part in a recurring segment of Colbert’s, where he asks his guests questions he doesn’t think they’ve ever been asked before.
When Colbert asked Obama, ‘How does Dolly Parton not have a Presidential Medal of Freedom,’ the former President seemed taken aback.
‘That was a mistake. I’m shocked,’ Obama said, when Colbert began to joke, ‘Looking back on the eight years, do you realize that’s the mistake you made?’
Segment: Obama, 59, took part in a recurring segment of Colbert’s, where he asks his guests questions he doesn’t think they’ve ever been asked before
Taken aback: When Colbert asked Obama, ‘How does Dolly Parton not have a Presidential Medal of Freedom,’ the former President seemed taken aback
Obama added, ‘Actually, that was a screw-up. I’m surprised. I think I assumed that she had already got one, and that was incorrect.’
He added that, ‘she deserves one. I’ll call Biden,’ referring to President-Elect Joe Biden, his former Vice President.
It’s possible Parton could be one of Biden’s first Presidential Medal of Freedom recipients when he takes office in 2021.
Screw-up: Obama added, ‘Actually, that was a screw-up. I’m surprised. I think I assumed that she had already got one, and that was incorrect.
Calling Biden: He added that, ‘she deserves one. I’ll call Biden,’ referring to President-Elect Joe Biden, his former Vice President
The Presidential Medal of Freedom was first established by President John F. Kennedy in 1963.
The medal is awarded to those who have provided an, ‘especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.’
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is one of the highest awards given to civilians of the United States, along with the Congressional Gold Medal.
Medal: The Presidential Medal of Freedom was first established by President John F. Kennedy in 1963
Parton donated $1 million to Vanderbilt University back in April, just weeks after COVID-19 was officially declared a worldwide pandemic.
Those funds helped contribute to Moderna’s vaccine, which has reported to be upwards of 94.5% effective in combating COVID-19.
The country singer revealed in an interview she was, ‘a very proud girl today to know I had anything at all to do with something that’s going to help us through this crazy pandemic.’
Donation: Parton donated $1 million to Vanderbilt University back in April, just weeks after COVID-19 was officially declared a worldwide pandemic
Vaccine: Those funds helped contribute to Moderna’s vaccine, which has reported to be upwards of 94.5% effective in combating COVID-19
Proud: The country singer revealed in an interview she was, ‘a very proud girl today to know I had anything at all to do with something that’s going to help us through this crazy pandemic’