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.

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.

'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.

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.

'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 shipwrecks 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 woman's baseball manager,' Obama said, a nod to Hank's character in 'A League of Their Own,' 'an every-man who fell in love with Meg Ryan three times. Made it seem normal 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 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.'