Think there is still no Freedom from COVID.
On Thursday, Denzel Washington was nowhere to be seen at the Presidential Medal of Freedom Ceremony at the White House, despite being one of the few talented and influential figures invited each year to receive the award, touted as the highest civilian honor. of the country. ET has confirmed that none other than a positive COVID test was the cause of the 67-year-old actor’s absence.
“The man who couldn’t be here today, but wanted to be: Denzel Washington. One of our greatest actors in American history. Academy Awards, Golden Globes, Tony Awards, widespread acclaim and admiration from audiences and peers around the world,” said President Joseph R. Biden, with a nod to the star of “Pelican Brief.”
“He couldn’t be here today, but I will give him this award at a later date if he can get here,” the president added.
Among the other living honorary members to be awarded the Medal of Freedom in 2022 were four-time Olympic gold medal-winning gymnast Simone Biles, 25, former Congresswoman and gun-safety advocate Gabrielle Giffords, 52, preacher and civil rights attorney Fred Gray, 91, and advocate of constitutional rights and Gold Star father Khizr Khan, 72.
Posthumous winners have included John McCain, Steve Jobs and union leader Richard Trumpka.
At the top of his address to the audience at the ceremony, Pres. Biden reflected on the significance of the occasion: “On Monday, we celebrated the independence of our nation, a nation that is always creating opportunities, fulfilling promises. That’s the American story. It’s not a simple one. It’s never been easy, but the week of July 4th reminds us what brought us together long ago and still binds us together, binds us at our best.
“We strive… we, the people, are doing what we can to ensure the idea of America, a cause of freedom that shines like the sun to illuminate the future of the world. That is the soul of our nation,” he continued.
“That’s who we are as Americans. And that’s what we’re seeing, an extraordinary, extraordinary group of Americans…that I have the honor of recognizing today.”