In November of 2016, then-President Barack Obama awarded Robert De Niro the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The award is the highest civilian honor in the United States, and is given to individuals who have made “especially meritorious contributions to (1) the security or national interests of the United States, or (2) world peace, or (3) cultural or other significant public or private endeavors”. So why did Robert De Niro get the Medal of Freedom?
De Niro is a legendary actor, with a career spanning over five decades. He has starred in some of the most iconic films ever made, including Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, and Goodfellas. He is also a two-time Academy Award winner, taking home Oscars for his roles in The Godfather Part II and Raging Bull.
In addition to his acting prowess, De Niro is also a successful director and producer. He has helped create some of Hollywood’s most memorable films, including A Bronx Tale and Silver Linings Playbook.
De Niro’s body of work is truly remarkable.
But it’s not just his professional accomplishments that make him deserving of the Medal of Freedom. De Niro is also a tireless philanthropist, working with numerous charities and causes throughout his career. He has been particularly involved in supporting inner-city youth through initiatives like Tribeca Film Festival and Tribeca Film Institute.
De Niro’s commitment to giving back makes him an even more worthy recipient of this prestigious award.
On Tuesday, President Trump awarded the Medal of Freedom to Robert De Niro, one of America’s most celebrated actors. The award is the highest civilian honor in the United States and is given to those who have made “especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.”
So why did Robert De Niro receive this prestigious honor?
Well, there are many reasons. For starters, De Niro is a legendary actor with a career that spans over 50 years. He has starred in some of the most iconic films of all time, including Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, and Goodfellas.
He has also directed several films, including A Bronx Tale and The Irishman.
De Niro is also a passionate advocate for social justice and equality. He has used his platform to speak out against racism, sexism, homophobia, and other forms of discrimination.
In 2018, he even delivered an impassioned speech at the Tony Awards denouncing Trump’s policies.
But perhaps the biggest reason why De Niro was given the Medal of Freedom is because he embodies what it means to be an American success story. He was born into a poor family in New York City and had to drop out of high school to help support his parents.
But through hard work and determination, he turned himself into one of the greatest actors in history. His life story is truly inspirational and serves as a reminder that anything is possible in America if you’re willing to work for it.
Medal of Freedom Recipients
The Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian award in the United States. It is awarded by the President of the United States to individuals who have made “an especially meritorious contribution to (1) the security or national interests of the United States, or (2) world peace, or (3) cultural or other significant public or private endeavors”. The medal was established in 1963 by President John F. Kennedy and is presented by the President in a ceremony at the White House.
Since 1963, there have been over 500 recipients of the Medal of Freedom, including Presidents, politicians, athletes, musicians, actors and actresses, activists, businesspeople, and scientists. Some notable recipients include:
-President Barack Obama
-Former President George H. W. Bush
-Nelson Mandela
-Mother Teresa
-Muhammad Ali
-Oprah Winfrey
-Bill Gates
Why is the Medal of Freedom Given?
The Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian award in the United States. It is given to individuals who have made “an especially meritorious contribution to (1) the security or national interests of the United States, or (2) world peace, or (3) cultural or other significant public or private endeavors”.
The first Medals of Freedom were awarded by President Harry S. Truman in 1945 to prominent World War II figures, including Winston Churchill, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Dwight D. Eisenhower.
In 1963, President John F. Kennedy expanded the criteria for the award to include recipients who had made significant contributions to peace and cultural understanding. Since then, the Medal of Freedom has been awarded to over five hundred individuals, including scientists, politicians, athletes, humanitarians, entertainers, and businesspeople.
Which President Gave Out the Most Medal of Freedom?
The Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian honor in the United States. It is given to individuals who have made “especially meritorious contributions to (1) the security or national interests of the United States, or (2) world peace, or (3) cultural or other significant public or private endeavors”. Presidents Dwight Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, and Barack Obama have each awarded more than 100 Medals of Freedom during their time in office.
However, when looking at the total number of Medals of Freedom awarded by each president, President George H. W. Bush holds the record with a total of 158 medals awarded during his time in office. This is followed closely by President Jimmy Carter with 153 medals and President Bill Clinton with 147 medals. Interestingly, all three presidents who have awarded the most Medals of Freedom were one-term presidents.
So while there have been many presidents who have awarded large numbers of Medals of Freedom, it seems that those who have served only one term in office are the ones who have given out the most.
Who Gave Ellen Degeneres the Medal of Freedom?
President Barack Obama awarded Ellen DeGeneres the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015. The Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian honor in the United States, and it is given to individuals who have made “especially meritorious contributions to (1) the security or national interests of the United States, or (2) world peace, or (3) cultural or other significant public or private endeavors”.
DeGeneres was chosen for the award because of her work as an LGBTQ advocate and her efforts to promote equality and acceptance.
In addition to her work on television, DeGeneres has also been active in philanthropy, and she has used her platform to speak out against discrimination.
The Medal of Freedom is a well-deserved recognition for DeGeneres’ work in promoting equality and acceptance.
Conclusion
In November of 2016, Robert De Niro was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by then-President Barack Obama. The award is the highest civilian honor in the United States and is given to those who have made “especially meritorious contributions to (1) the security or national interests of the United States, (2) world peace, or (3) cultural or other significant public or private endeavors”. So, why did President Obama bestow this honor upon one of Hollywood’s most famous actors?
De Niro has had a long and successful career in film, starring in some of the most iconic movies of all time. He’s also been a vocal critic of President Donald Trump, famously calling him a “punk” and an “imbecile” in a profanity-laced speech at the 2018 Tony Awards. In light of his political views and his impressive body of work, it’s no surprise that De Niro was chosen to receive such a prestigious award.
