Joe Biden Awards Elton John With National Humanities Medal At White House Concert

Ted Johnson
·3 min read
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UPDATED, Friday: After a short concert by Elton John on the South Lawn of the White House on Friday evening, President Joe Biden awarded the legendary singer with the National Humanities Medal, much to his surprise.

John was recognized as “an enduring icon and advocate with absolute courage, who found purpose to challenge convention, shatter stigma and advance the simple truth, that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.”

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John held First Lady Jill Biden’s hand for a bit before Biden placed the medal around his neck.

“I think we surprised him,” the president said.

“I’m never flabbergasted, but I’m flabbergasted, and humbled and honored by this incredible award from the United States of America,” John said, as he was close to tears. “I will treasure this so much, and it will make me double my efforts to make sure this disease goes away. America’s kindness to me as a musician is second to none, but in the war against AIDS and HIV it’s even bigger.”

The event was sponsored and paid for by A&E Networks and The History Channel, which is holding the annual History Talks event in D.C. featuring a lineup of speakers including George and Laura Bush, George Clooney and Doria Kearns Goodwin.

John sang Your Song, Tiny Dancer, Rocketman, Don’t Let the Sun Go Down On Me, Crocodile Rock and I’m Still Standing. 

As he first took the stage during the evening, he said, “I don’t know what to say. What a dump,” he quipped, before getting serious.

“I’ve played in some places before that are beautiful, but this is probably the icing on the cake. It’s wonderful to be here among people who have helped my foundation and my heroes, the ones that work every day on the front line. Teaches, nurses, everybody who has helped. They’re the heroes to me.”

The theme of the event was A Night When Hope and History Rhyme, and among those in attendance were Laura Bush, Billie Jean King, Ruby Bridges, British Ambassador to the United States Karen Pierce, Malala Yousafzai, and cabinet secretaries including Attorney General Merrick Garland and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.

John talked of his activism for AIDS, noting that he has been advocating on the issue since 1991. He recalled getting involved after meeting Ryan White, the teenager who contracted AIDS and became a symbol of those suffering from the disease and the stigma they faced. “Six months after Ryan passed, I got sober and clean.” He said that if it wasn’t for White and his family, “I wouldn’t be here talking tonight. They saved my life.”

Watch the complete concert here.

PREVIOUSLY, Sept. 17, EXCLUSIVE: Elton John will perform at the White House next week for an event, A Night When Hope and History Rhyme.”

According to an invite that went out in recent days, the singer will perform on the South Lawn of the White House on Friday.

He’ll be the latest entertainer to perform at the White House as it returns to normal following Covid, albeit attendees are required to get tested.

James Taylor performed this week on the South Lawn at a ceremony marking the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act.

The Bidens also hosted a pre-taped In Performance at the White House in December. That event featured performances by Andrea Bocelli, Matteo Bocelli, Virginia Bocelli, Camila Cabello, Eric Church, Jonas Brothers, Norah Jones, Pentatonix and Billy Porter.

The Elton John event is in collaboration with A+E Networks and The History Channel. The History Channel is hosting its live History Talks event on Sept. 24.

Biden’s predecessor held few entertainment events, as many musical artists refrained from White House visits during Donald Trump’s presidency. But Trump did host a ceremony for the National Medal of Arts and Humanities to Jon Voight, Alison Krauss and James Patterson, among others.

 

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