During a ceremony at the White House to honor American icons such as Bruce Springsteen, Gladys Knight, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus, President Joe Biden hinted at the possibility of running for re-election in 2024.
Nearly two dozen individuals and groups received medals from Biden for deepening the country’s “understanding of the humanities and broadening our citizens’ engagement with history, literature, philosophy, and many other subjects,” he said. Biden told the recipients, “Above all, you have mastered your craft.”
Biden’s Plan for Re-election 2024
In his introduction of author Colson Whitehead, Biden referenced a potential 2024 campaign. And noted that Whitehead had won two consecutive Pulitzer prizes for his novels “The Underground Railroad” and “The Nickel Boys.” Biden asked, “How in the hell did you do that? Pretty good man. I’m kinda looking for back-to-back myself,” which prompted a loud applause. While praising rock music icon Bruce Springsteen, Biden also made a quip about how “some people are born to run.” Biden has repeatedly stated his intention to run for reelection, but he has not made any formal announcement yet.
Biden praised Bruce Springsteen as a poet troubadour, chronicler of American life, and a symbol of resilience, hope, and dreams. Springsteen is the recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, 20 Grammys, an Oscar, a Tony, and has an unyielding love from millions of fans across generations.s,” Biden saidBiden introduced Julia Louis Dreyfus as “President Julia Louis Dreyfus” in reference to her role as Selina Meyer in the hit HBO sitcom “Veep.” He joked that he would ask her later whether she liked being VP or president better and said, “I gotta figure that one out.”.” Biden recognized each individual who was honored, describing in detail their achievements in their respective areas. When it came to Knight, Biden described her as the “Empress of Soul” and said she’s “truly one of the best things ever to happen in terms of music.”
Other recipients included comedian Mindy Kaling, designer Vera Wang, activist Bryan Stevenson, artists Judith Francisca Baca and Antonio Martorell-Cardona, and writers Ann Patchet, Amy Tan, Walter Isaacson and Tara Westover. “Mindy Kaling you know from Massachusetts, but as we all know, Scranton, Pennsylvania made her who she is,” Biden joked, in a nod to Kaling’s work on “The Office.
It was the first time Biden awarded the arts medals since taking office after the COVID-19 pandemic put the ceremony on pause.
Biden previously bestowed Elton John with a National Humanities Medal during a White House concert last fall as John was embarking on his farewell tour — an honor John said he was “flabbergasted and humbled” to receive.
“You do make the country better, make it a better place,” Biden said to the 2021 awardees as the event came to a close.