The 58-year-old comedienne was still crying as she returned to her seat next to fellow recipient Robert De Niro and the Oscar-winning actor kindly gave her a comforting hug, reports the Daily Mail.
At first, the 73-year-old actor put a reassuring arm around host who appeared grateful for the support. Then as she leaned into him, he planted a sweet kiss on the side of her head.
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The special moment was all caught on camera during the special event that also saw medals presented to Tom Hanks, Diana Ross, Michael Jordan and Bruce Springsteen among others.
Humorously, DeGeneres had initially been denied entry to the White House because she forgot to take her ID with her.
She posted a snap to social media showing herself waiting on a bench wearing a maroon plaid suit, black shirt and white-soled sneakers.
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"They haven't let me in to the White House yet because I forgot my ID. #NotJoking #PresidentialMedalOfFreedom," she captioned the Instagram post.
DeGeneres was also joined at the event by her wife Portia De Rossi, who was dressed in a white top and black skirt with pumps.
Alongside an Instagram photo of the couple inside the White House later, the caption reads, "@BarackObama just awarded me the Medal of Freedom. I hope it serves as an ID. I have no idea how I'm getting home."
DeGeneres used the same platform to share a video of the A-listers present there, pulling off a perfect mannequin challenge.
ANI