President Obama gave out his last batch of Presidential Medals of Freedom today to huge names in Hollywood, the world of sports, philanthropy and more.

For many on the list, liberals who supported Hillary Clinton, it could be their last chance for years to receive the nation's highest civilian honor with Donald Trump heading to the White House come January.

From a podium at the White House, Obama explained that the awards are given to Americans who have 'lifted our spirits, strengthened our union, pushed us toward progress.'

The honorees sat behind Obama as he delivered introductions that could have passed as a roast – though in coded language the president swatted at Trump, over the Muslim ban and the president-elect's criticism of 'Saturday Night Live.'

'I always love doing this event. But this is a particularly impressive class,' he said.

'We've got innovators and artists, public servants, rabble rousers, athletes, renowned character actors - like the guy from Space Jam,' Obama said.

Unlike the great actors actually getting awards - Tom Hanks, Robert De Niro and Robert Redford - the president was referring to basketball great Michael Jordan, who appeared in the '90s partially-animated film.

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President Barack Obama addressed actors, activists, musicians, architects and philanthropists being given the nation's highest civilian honor

The movie 'Sully' taught him to never travel with actor Tom Hanks (left), President Obama said at today's Medal of Freedom ceremony

President Obama had to navigate his way around singer Diana Ross' fluffy hair, as she was one of 21 recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom

Diana Ross' voluptuous black mane gave President Obama a problem as he tried to put her Presidential Medal of Freedom around her neck

President Obama puts the Presidential Medal of Freedom over the head of Actor Robert De Niro, who he joked around with about the many mobster roles he had played

President Obama (right) reminded his audience today how brave it was for Ellen DeGeneres (left) to come out on her television show nearly 20 years ago

Actor Robert Redford was among the Hollywood greats receiving the Presidential Medal of Honor today at the White House

President Obama was dwarfed onstage by basketball great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who the president applauded for defending his Muslim faith

THE STRUGGLE IS REAL: President Obama's biggest challenge during the ceremony was trying to figure out how to get the award around the next of the 7 foot 2 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

President Obama shares a hug with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar during today's Presidential Medal of Freedom ceremony at the White House today

President Obama said he was tempted to make veteran broadcaster Vin Scully read the citations at today's ceremony. 'We shouldn't make him sing for his supper like that,' he said

Actor Rober De Niro was one of the Hollywood greats that President Obama awarded a Presidential Medal of Freedom to today from the White House in Washington

Comedian Ellen DeGeneres almost didn't make it into the ceremony today because she forgot to bring her ID to the White House

Actor Tom Hanks (left) and 'Saturday Night Live' creator Lorne Michaels (right) were among those receiving Presidential Medals of Freedom

Rocker Bruce Springsteen strolls through the White House before today's Presidential Medal of Freedom ceremony

Honorees included musician Bruce Springsteen (left) and actress Cicely Tyson (right), with basketball great Michael Jordan (back left) on the list

'And she's just gorgeous,' President Obama said of Cicely Tyson, reminding the audience at the White House that Tyson's parents had barred her from seeing movies when growing up

Basketball great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (upper left) was applauded by President Obama for standing up for his Muslim faith

Overall, Obama was giving out 21 awards, with two going to people already deceased.

His first presentation was to Bill and Melinda Gates, for their philanthropic work over the years after forming the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in 2000.

AND THE WINNERS ARE ... Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Elouise Cobell (posthumous) Ellen DeGeneres Robert De Niro Richard Garwin Bill and Melinda Gates Frank Gehry Margaret H. Hamilton Tom Hanks Grace Hopper (posthumous) Michael Jordan Maya Lin Lorne Michaels Newt Minow Eduardo Padrón Robert Redford Diana Ross Vin Scully Bruce Springsteen Cicely Tyson Advertisement

'First, we came close to missing out on a Bill and Melinda Gates incredible partnership because apparently Bill's opening line was "do you want to go out two weeks from this coming Saturday?"' the president said, shaking his head at the Microsoft great.

'He's good with computers, but, you know,' Obama added. 'Fortunately Melinda believes in second chances and the world is better for it.'

Obama moved on to those who envisioned some of the nation's most memorable structures, cracking a joke about honoree architect Frank Gehry's Santa Monica home, 'which I understand caused some consternation among his neighbors.'

The president reminded the audience that Maya Lin's idea for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial design wasn't initially well received.

'The project that Maya Lin designed for her college class, earned her a B+,' Obama said. 'And a permanent place in American history.'

'So, all of you, B+ students out there,' the president joked.

Obama toasted two women in STEM, the late Grace Hopper, dubbed the ''first lady of software' and Margaret Hamilton, who created the on-board flight software for NASA.

He also told the story of how former Federal Communications Commission chair Newt Minow, receiving the award at age 90, knew the president from his youthful Chicago days – and actually bumped into Obama the first time he took a Michelle Robinson on a date.

It clearly worked out.

Comedian Ellen DeGeneres was almost left out in the cold after forgetting her ID and not being allowed to enter the White House for the ceremony

Honoree Ellen DeGeneres, the comedian and talk show host, almost didn't make it into the White House today because she forgot to bring her ID.

She posted a picture to Twitter of her sitting on a park bench outside the Pennsylvania Avenue landmark using the hashtag #NotJoking.

The president became a wee bit weepy when reminding his audience how hard it was and how proud he was when, 19 years ago, DeGeneres publicly came out, paving the way for many LGBT entertainers.

'But it's like Ellen says, "We all want a tortilla chip that can support the weight of guacamole." Which really makes no sense to me,' Obama admitted.

'But I thought would break the mood because I was getting kind of choked up,' the president continued.

'And she did pay a price. We don't remember this. I hadn't remembered it. She did, for a pretty long stretch of time. Even in Hollywood,' he noted.

'And yet, today, every day, in every way, Ellen counters what too often divides us with the countless things that bind us together. Inspires us to be better. One joke, one dance at a time,' Obama said.

Obama lauded Lorne Michael's 'Saturday Night Live program', contrasting Donald Trump, who's said that it's time for the 'boring and unfunny' show to end.

The sitting president said the show 'is still a challenge to the powerful - especially folks like me' after all these years.

Actor Robert Redford was among the 21 recipients of the Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor

Secretary of State John Kerry attended today's awards ceremony at the White House where celebrities and sports stars appeared

WHAT THE PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL OF FREEDOM WINNERS HAVE SAID ABOUT PRESIDENT-ELECT DONALD TRUMP Robert De Niro: 'I'd like to punch him in the face,' the actor said last month, while also calling Trump 'stupid.' Bruce Springsteen: Called Trump a 'moron' and told an audience in London before the election, 'It’s a terrible thing that’s happening in the States. He’s undermining the entire democratic tradition.' Springsteen also appeared at a Hillary Clinton victory rally in Philadelphia on Election Night eve. Robert Redford: Had a spokesman say, 'He enjoys him, but not for President,' after Trump tweeted that he had the actor's support. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: 'Donald Trump's idea to register Muslims and prevent them from entering our country is the very tyranny Jefferson abhorred,' the basketball great said after the Republican announced his plan for a Muslim ban. Ellen DeGeneres: 'He’s a bully. He represents a bully. He can deny that but I think anybody that looks up the definition of a bully [will see that]. He says, ‘Oh, I just attack back. If someone attacks me I’m gonna attack back.’ I’m not saying anything about – I’m not anti-Republican, I’m not anti anything. I’m pro human being. I just don’t like bullies,' the comedian said in June. Advertisement

'He produced a senator, too. That's pretty impressive,' Obama said, referring to Minnesota lawmaker Al Franken, an SNL alum.

Of actor Redford he said, 'at 80-years- young' he 'has no plans to slow down.'

Of Cicely Tyson, Obama cooed: 'And she's just gorgeous.'

And of De Niro, the president joked about all the times the award-winning actor had played a mobster.

The movie 'Sully' taught him to never travel with Hanks, Obama said.

From pirates, to plane crashes to volcanoes, Obama said, 'Something happens with Tom Hanks. And yet somehow we can't resist going where he wants to take us.'

He's played 'a crusty women's baseball manager,' Obama said, a nod to Hank's character in 'A League of Their Own,' 'an everyman who fell in love with Meg Ryan three times. Made it seem natural to have a volleyball as your best friend….'

Obama told the audience with veteran baseball broadcaster Vin Scully on the list, he first thought that maybe the award recipient should give the introductions, though soon changed his mind.

'We shouldn't make him sing for his supper like that,' Obama said.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar he complimented for his basketball career and for standing up for his Muslim faith.

'When a sport changes its rules to make it harder just for you, you are really good,' Obama said.

Even after the NCAA forbid dunking in college basketball, he was 'still the sport's most unstoppable force,' he said.

Obama created the most photo-worthy moment by trying to get the medal around the neck of the 7-foot-2 basketball star.

A close second came when the president was forced to rummage through songstress Diana Ross' hair to place her medal around her neck.

Saving Springsteen for last, Obama noted that: 'I am the president, he is the boss.'



