Former President Barack Obama is admitting he made a mistake by failing to grant Dolly Parton a Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Host of CBS’s “The Late Show” Stephen Colbert asked Obama how Parton did not receive the award.
“That’s a mistake. I’m shocked,” Obama replied.
Colbert joked, “Looking back on your eight years do you realize that’s the mistake you made.”
“Actually, that was a screwup. I’m surprised. I think I assumed that she had already gotten one, and that was incorrect. I’m surprised. She deserves one. I’ll call Biden,” Obama said.
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The country music singer donated $1 million through the Dolly Parton COVID-19 Research Fund at Vanderbilt University to fund the Moderna coronavirus vaccine found to be 94.5% effective, as IJR previously reported.
“Dolly’s amazing generosity is a source of inspiration and will have a lasting impact on the battle against COVID-19. She cares so much about helping others and we are very grateful for her ongoing support. These funds will help us complete promising research that can benefit millions in their battle with the virus,” Vanderbilt’s medical school dean said.
In an April interview on the “Today” show, Parton revealed why she decided to provide funding for the project.
“Vanderbilt’s a wonderful hospital, they’re so good to me and my family through the years and I like to donate to them every now and then. And I thought, ‘Wow, what better time,'” Parton said.
She added, “Right now we need this, so anybody that can afford it, we’ve got more money than we’ve got time right now. So we need to find this treatment so I just felt like this was the time for me to open my heart and my hand and try to help with that.”
The U.S. Transportation Department said it is preparing for “immediate mass shipment” of the vaccines, as IJR previously reported.
