EXCLUSIVE: Trump Bestows National Medals of Arts & Humanities

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On Thursday, USA Herald staff writer Gabrielle Seunagal traveled to the White House to witness President Trump bestow the National Medals of Arts and Humanities to worthy recipients.

Everything You Need to Know About the Ceremony

The president gathered with White House staffers, members of the press, and others in the East Room. Prior to bestowing the National Medals, Trump lauded the recipients’ contributions to American culture and arts. Shortly thereafter, the president prefaced his awarding of the medals by noting the positive outcomes of great nations.

In Trump’s own words:

“Great nations produce great thinkers, artists, musicians, and scholars. […] Each of today’s recipients has made outstanding contributions to American society, culture, and life.” 

The recipients honored by President Trump were Jon Voight, Sharon Rockefeller, James Patterson, Alison Krauss, Patrick O’Connell, Ryan Williams, and Teresa Lozano Long.

Voight’s work in cinema earned him accolades from President Trump as “one of America’s greatest living legends”. Rockefeller’s work in public broadcasting and the arts prompted praise from the president who also lauded Patterson’s success as a bestselling fiction writer.