WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama awarded 24 American giants of the arts and humanities with medals on Thursday, lauding their accomplishments — and sharing some laughs.
Legendary comedian and filmmaker Mel Brooks, who Obama has said he admires for his over-the-top Western satire "Blazing Saddles," dropped to one knee as if receiving a knighthood after he was given his official citation for "a lifetime of making the world laugh."
Obama warned Brooks that he would catch him if he tried to sell his National Medal of Arts on eBay.
He also joked with Broadway star Audra McDonald, whose citation was misplaced, and admired the spiked sneakers of poet Louise Glück.
"I do think Mel Brooks kind of set the tone for this thing," Obama said afterward. "Historically, this has been a much more staid affair."
Also among the honorees: Motown producer Berry Gordy and composer Philip Glass as well as authors Sandra Cisneros, Ron Chernow, Rudolfo Anaya and James McBride.
"We believe that the arts and the humanities are in many ways reflective of our national soul. They're central to who we are as Americans: dreamers and storytellers and innovators and visionaries," Obama said.
"They're what help us make sense of the past — the good and the bad — and how we chart a course for the future," he said.
Obama gave a medal to Spanish celebrity chef Jose Andres, whose restaurants have been favorite haunts during his time in Washington, and who has worked with the White House on immigration reform issues.
Left unmentioned: Andres' battle with Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, who sued Andres for backing out of a deal to open a restaurant in his new Washington hotel after Trump made disparaging comments about Mexican immigrants.
Morgan Freeman was honored, but the actor was a no-show. Obama deadpanned that Freeman, who has been involved with the foundation raising money for his presidential library in Chicago, "undoubtedly is off playing a black president again."