Images: The 2016 Presidential Medal of Freedom

President Barack Obama, center, reacts as former NBA basketball player Michael Jordan, left, playfully looms over him at a Presidential Medal of Freedom ceremony in the East Room of the White House, Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2016, in Washington. ASSOCIATED PRESS

Former NBA basketball player Michael Jordan and actor Robert De Niro, right, depart after receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom at a ceremony in the East Room of the White House, Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2016, in Washington. ASSOCIATED PRESS

President Barack Obama presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to former NBA basketball player Michael Jordan during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2016, in Washington. Obama is recognizing 21 Americans with the nation's highest civilian award, including giants of the entertainment industry, sports legends, activists and innovators. ASSOCIATED PRESS

President Barack Obama presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to actor Tom Hanks during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House, Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2016, in Washington. Obama is recognizing 21 Americans with the nation's highest civilian award, including giants of the entertainment industry, sports legends, activists and innovators. ASSOCIATED PRESS

President Barack Obama presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to former NBA basketball player Kareem Abdul Jabbar during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2016, in Washington. The award recognizes especially meritorious contributions to the national interests of the United States, to its culture, or to other significant endeavors. ASSOCIATED PRESS

President Barack Obama, pretends to shoot an imaginary basketball over former NBA basketball player Kareem Abdul Jabbar, left, as he presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House, Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2016, in Washington. Obama is recognizing 21 Americans with the nation's highest civilian award, including giants of the entertainment industry, sports legends, activists and innovators. Also pictured is Melinda Gates, background. ASSOCIATED PRESS

Actor Robert De Niro, center, reacts after receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House, Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2016, in Washington. Obama is recognizing 21 Americans with the nation's highest civilian award, including giants of the entertainment industry, sports legends, activists and innovators. ASSOCIATED PRESS

President Barack Obama presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to mathematician and computer scientist Margaret Hamilton, left, during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House, Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2016, in Washington. Obama is recognizing 21 Americans with the nation's highest civilian award, including giants of the entertainment industry, sports legends, activists and innovators. ASSOCIATED PRESS

President Barack Obama, right, points at Tom Hanks, left, before presenting him with the Presidential Medal of Freedom during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House, Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2016, in Washington. ASSOCIATED PRESS

President Barack Obama presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to artist and designer Maya Lin during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House, Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2016, in Washington. ASSOCIATED PRESS

President Barack Obama presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to attorney and former Chair of the Federal Communications Commission Newt Minow during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House, Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2016, in Washington. ASSOCIATED PRESS

President Barack Obama hugs singer Diana Ross before presenting her with the Presidential Medal of Freedom at a ceremony in the East Room of the White House, Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2016, in Washington. ASSOCIATED PRESS

President Barack Obama presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to sports broadcaster Vin Scully, left, during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House, Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2016, in Washington. ASSOCIATED PRESS

Sports broadcaster Vin Scully, center, pauses to look at his Presidential Medal of Freedom during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House, Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2016, in Washington. Obama is recognizing 21 Americans with the nation's highest civilian award, including giants of the entertainment industry, sports legends, activists and innovators. Also pictured is actor Tom Hanks, top left, singer Diana Ross, bottom left, former NBA basketball player Michael Jordan, top right, and singer songwriter Bruce Springsteen, bottom right. ASSOCIATED PRESS

President Barack Obama stands with actress Cicely Tyson, left, before presenting her with the Presidential Medal of Freedom during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House, Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2016, in Washington. Obama is recognizing 21 Americans with the nation's highest civilian award, including giants of the entertainment industry, sports legends, activists and innovators. ASSOCIATED PRESS

Former NBA basketball player Kareem Abdul Jabbar, left, reacts as President Barack Obama, right, attempts to present the Presidential Medal of Freedom during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House, Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2016, in Washington. ASSOCIATED PRESS

President Barack Obama greets actor Tom Hanks during a ceremony presenting Hanks with a Presidential Medal of Freedom in the East Room of the White House Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2016, in Washington. Obama is recognizing 21 Americans with the nation's highest civilian award, including giants of the entertainment industry, sports legends, activists and innovators. Others are award recipients Ellen DeGeneres, back left to right, Bill Gates, and his wife Melinda Gates. ASSOCIATED PRESS

President Barack Obama presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Miami Dade College President Eduardo Padrón during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2016, in Washington. Obama is recognizing 21 Americans with the nation's highest civilian award, including giants of the entertainment industry, sports legends, activists and innovators. ASSOCIATED PRESS

President Barack Obama presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Miami Dade College President Eduardo Padrón during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2016, in Washington. ASSOCIATED PRESS

President Barack Obama presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Saturday Night Live producer and screenwriter Lorne Michaels during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2016, in Washington. ASSOCIATED PRESS

President Barack Obama, foreground, hugs former NBA basketball player Michael Jordan after presenting him with a Presidential Medal of Freedom during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House, Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2016, in Washington. Obama is recognizing 21 Americans with the nation's highest civilian award, including giants of the entertainment industry, sports legends, activists and innovators. ASSOCIATED PRESS

President Barack Obama presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to former NBA basketball player Michael Jordan during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2016, in Washington. Obama is recognizing 21 Americans with the nation's highest civilian award, including giants of the entertainment industry, sports legends, activists and innovators. ASSOCIATED PRESS

President Barack Obama presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Vietnam Veterans Memorial Architect Maya Lin during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2016, in Washington. Obama is recognizing 21 Americans with the nation's highest civilian award, including giants of the entertainment industry, sports legends, activists and innovators. ASSOCIATED PRESS

Former NBA basketball player Kareem Abdul Jabbar, left, reacts as President Barack Obama, right, attempts to present the Presidential Medal of Freedom during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House, Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2016, in Washington. ASSOCIATED PRESS

President Barack Obama presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to singer Diana Ross during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House, Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2016, in Washington. Obama is recognizing 21 Americans with the nation's highest civilian award, including giants of the entertainment industry, sports legends, activists and innovators. ASSOCIATED PRESS

Ellen DeGeneres, comedian and television personality, left, and actor Robert De Niro, arrive to a Presidential Medal of Freedom ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2016. The Nations highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom is presented to individuals who have made contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, cultural or other significant public and private endeavors. BLOOMBERG

Actor Tom Hanks wears the Presidential Medal of Freedom after receiving it from U.S. President Barack Obama, not pictured, during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2016. The Nations highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom is presented to individuals who have made contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, cultural or other significant public and private endeavors. BLOOMBERG

President Barack Obama presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to actor Robert Redford during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2016, in Washington. Obama is recognizing 21 Americans with the nation's highest civilian award, including giants of the entertainment industry, sports legends, activists and innovators. ASSOCIATED PRESS

President Barack Obama presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Diana Ross during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2016, in Washington. Obama is recognizing 21 Americans with the nation's highest civilian award, including giants of the entertainment industry, sports legends, activists and innovators. ASSOCIATED PRESS

Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient Diana Ross is applauded by fellow awardees, from left, Bill Gates, Robert Redford, Melinda Gates, Margaret Hamilton and Vin Scully during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2016, in Washington. Obama is recognizing 21 Americans with the nation's highest civilian award, including giants of the entertainment industry, sports legends, activists and innovators. ASSOCIATED PRESS

President Barack Obama presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to sports broadcaster Vin Scully during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House, Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2016, in Washington. Obama is recognizing 21 Americans with the nation's highest civilian award, including giants of the entertainment industry, sports legends, activists and innovators. ASSOCIATED PRESS

President Barack Obama presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to sports broadcaster Vin Scully during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2016, in Washington. Obama is recognizing 21 Americans with the nation's highest civilian award, including giants of the entertainment industry, sports legends, activists and innovators. ASSOCIATED PRESS

President Barack Obama presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to singer songwriter Bruce Springsteen during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House, Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2016, in Washington. Obama is recognizing 21 Americans with the nation's highest civilian award, including giants of the entertainment industry, sports legends, activists and innovators. ASSOCIATED PRESS

President Barack Obama presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to sports broadcaster Vin Scully during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House, Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2016, in Washington. Obama is recognizing 21 Americans with the nation's highest civilian award, including giants of the entertainment industry, sports legends, activists and innovators. Applauding are fellow recipients, from back left, Bill Gates, Melinda Gates and Robert Redford. ASSOCIATED PRESS

President Barack Obama presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to singer songwriter Bruce Springsteen during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House, Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2016, in Washington. Obama is recognizing 21 Americans with the nation's highest civilian award, including giants of the entertainment industry, sports legends, activists and innovators. ASSOCIATED PRESS

Actress Cicely Tyson is presented by President Barack Obama with a Presidential Medal of Freedom during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2016, in Washington. Obama is recognizing 21 Americans with the nation's highest civilian award, including giants of the entertainment industry, sports legends, activists and innovators. Applauding are fellow recipients Robert DeNiro, back left, Bill Gates, back center to right, Melinda Gates, and Robert Redford. ASSOCIATED PRESS

Actress, comedian, and talk show host Ellen DeGeneres, glances at President Barack Obama as she is presented the Presidential Medal of Freedom during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2016, in Washington. Obama is recognizing 21 Americans with the nation's highest civilian award, including giants of the entertainment industry, sports legends, activists and innovators. ASSOCIATED PRESS

President Barack Obama speaks during presentation of the Presidential Medal of Freedom during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2016, in Washington. Obama is recognizing 21 Americans with the nation's highest civilian award, including giants of the entertainment industry, sports legends, activists and innovators. ASSOCIATED PRESS

Actress, comedian, and talk show host Ellen DeGeneres, center, wipes a tear from her eye after receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House, Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2016, in Washington. ASSOCIATED PRESS