As part of his grand farewell tour, Sir Elton John made an appearance at the White House on Friday.
Following his performance President Biden surprised the legend with the National Humanities Medal for his humanitarian work.
John was visibly shocked.
“I’m never flabbergasted, but I’m flabbergasted and humbled and honored by this incredible award from the United States of America,” John said. “I will treasure this so much.”
John, who was at the White House to perform at A+E and History’s “A Night When Hope and History Rhyme,” performed several of his top songs and spoke to the crowd of about 2,000 invited guests, which included former first lady Laura Bush.
He thanked former President George W. Bush for his “astonishing” work with the Presidential Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief and asked Laura Bush to give him a hug on his behalf.
John is well known for his humanitarian efforts, especially his work to eradicate AIDS.
Shortly after losing two friends to the disease in the early 1990s, the music icon founded the Elton John AIDS Foundation. Since 1992 it has raised more than $600 million to support HIV-related programs in 55 countries.
His goal is to eradicate the disease by 2030.
At the conclusion of John’s performance, President Biden awarded him with the National Humanities Medal, an award also given to chef José Andrés and Elie Wiesel.
A military aide elaborated on John’s contributions to ending the AIDS epidemic.
The President of the United States awards this National Humanities Medal to Sir Elton John for moving our souls with his powerful voice in one of the defining songbooks of all time. An enduring icon and advocate with absolutely courage, who found purpose to challenge convention, shatter stigma, and advance the simple truth that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.
‘I think we surprised him.’
“I will treasure this so much and it will make me double my efforts to make sure this disease goes away,” John said as he became emotional.
“Your kindness — America’s kindness to me as a musician is second to none. But in the war against AIDS and HIV, it’s even bigger. And I can’t thank you enough. I’m really — I’m really emotional about this. And thank you.”
“On behalf of the American people, thank you — and I sincerely mean this — for moving the soul of our nation,” President Biden said.
Elton John absolutely deserved this medal. Not only is he an icon, but he has done so much fighting the stigma against AIDS/HIV and for eradicating the disease. He is one of a kind.
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