Elvis Presley honored posthumously by President Trump with Medal of Freedom at White House ceremony

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Steve Morley/RedfernsPresident Donald Trump awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom — the nation’s’ highest civilian honor — to seven Americans, including the late “King of Rock ‘n’ Roll” Elvis Presley, on Friday during a ceremony at the White House.

“This year it is my true privilege to award this honor to seven extraordinary Americans,” Trump said.

Before introducing Presley’s award, a segment of Elvis’ version of the gospel song “How Great Thou Art” played throughout the East Room.

“That was my idea, I said give me a little song,” the President commented as he began his tribute to the singer. “I will tell you he was something special. I wanted to hear the rest of the song…I don’t know why they cut it off so short.”

Trump then read a brief biography that listed many of Presley’s career achievements. He also revealed that he got to see Elvis perform at the Hilton in Las Vegas once, recalling that fans “were ripping the place apart, screaming [and] going crazy.”

Trump added that he remembered the venue announcing “Elvis has left the house,” quipping, “If they didn’t say that, I’d still be there. Maybe I wouldn’t be here.”

This year’s other Medal of Freedom honorees were late baseball legend Babe Ruth, former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach, late Supreme Court justice Antonin Scalia, Senator Orrin Hatch, Pro Football Hall of Famer and judge Alan Page, and doctor and humanitarian Miriam Adelson.

You can watch the full ceremony at the White House’s official YouTube channel.

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