Music legend Elvis Presley, baseball great Babe Ruth and late Supreme Court justice Antonin Scalia are among seven people who will be honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the White House said Saturday.

The award is the country's highest civilian honor, and recognizes "meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors," the White House said in a statement.

Three of this year's recipients will receive the award posthumously -- Presley, Ruth and Scalia.

The other honorees are; longtime Republican Senator Orrin Hatch; philanthropist and heavyweight political donor Miriam Adelson, the wife of billionaire casino mogul Sheldon Adelson; and two NFL Hall of Famers: quarterback Roger Staubach and defensive tackle Alan Page, who went on to serve as a state supreme court justice in Minnesota.

The medals will be handed out in a ceremony at the White House on November 16. </s> President Trump on Saturday named seven individuals — including three posthumous recipients — to be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Those to be honored are music legend Elvis Presley, who died in 1977, and baseball great Babe Ruth, who died in 1948. The late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, who wrote the majority’s opinion in the landmark 2008 Heller decision upholding individual gun ownership, will also receive the award.

Miriam Adelson, Israeli-American philanthropist and prominent Republican party donor, the wife of Sheldon Adelson, will be a recipient, as will retiring GOP senator of Utah Orrin Hatch. Alan Page, a former Minnesota Viking and a Supreme Court justice for that state, will be honored, as will Vietnam veteran Roger Staubach, a Heisman Trophy winner and two-time Super Bowl champion with the Dallas Cowboys.

The award, considered to be the highest civilian honor, is bestowed to individuals “who have made especially meritorious contributions to the security of national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors,” according to a release by the White House.

The medals will be awarded on Nov. 16. </s> US President Donald Trump will award the 2018 Presidential Medal of Freedom to Elvis Presley, George Herman "Babe" Ruth Jr. and five other individuals, the White House said in a statement on Saturday.

The medal is the highest civilian honour in the United States and is given annually to people who have made outstanding contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavours.

Trump will also award the medal to Miriam Adelson, a physician who together with her husband Sheldon Adelson, a billionaire casino magnate, is a major donor to the Republican party, Jewish causes worldwide, and medical research.

Also receiving the award next week will be Republican Senator Orrin Hatch, former Minnesota Supreme Court Justice and the first African-American to serve on that court Alan Page, the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, and former professional football player Roger Staubach. </s> U.S. President Donald Trump will award the 2018 Presidential Medal of Freedom to Elvis Presley, George Herman 'Babe' Ruth, Jr. and five other individuals, the White House said in a statement on Saturday.

The medal is the highest civilian honor in the United States and is given annually to people who have made outstanding contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.

In addition to Ruth and Presley, Republican Senator Orrin Hatch, the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, Miriam and Sheldon Adelson, former professional football player Roger Staubach and former Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Alan Page.

Miriam Adelson is married to billionaire Sheldon Adelson. According to the White House, the physician was chosen for founding research centers dedicated to substance abuse. The two have also established the Adelson Medical Research Foundation for life-threatening illness. They've also help support Jewish schools, Holocaust memorial organizations and Israeli military personnel.

The couple were one of the largest contributors to the GOP's efforts for the midterm election. They donated a staggering $112million to super PACs through September, CNN reports.

The White House praised the work of Hatch, who has four decades of legislative work during his time as Utah senator.

Scalia was chosen for his 'insisting that the role of federal judges is to uphold the original meaning of the Constitution — never to impose their own beliefs on the country.'

Presley was selected for his two years of Army Service. The White House also said that it relished in how Presley 'fused gospel, country, and rhythm and blues to create a sound all his own, selling more than a billion records.'

The Great Bambino set baseball records that lasted for decades, making him the obvious choice for the White House. They also cited the work Babe Ruth did through his foundation, named after the athlete, which helped underprivileged youth.

'His legacy has never been eclipsed, and he remains the personification of 'America's Pastime,' the White House added.

Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach was tapped for volunteering to fight in the Vietnam War and the work he has done as a businessman. The Hall of Famer was also praised for his charitable work with the United Way.

Defensive tackle Alan Page was the other professional football player tapped for the Medal of Freedom. The former Minnesota Viking then embarked on a legal career where he became the first African American to serve on the Supreme Court in Minnesota.

Trump has yet to present a Presidential Medal of Freedom. He did give out the Medal of Honor, the U.S. highest military honor, as recently as October. </s> Elvis Presley, Babe Ruth and Justice Antonin Scalia are among the list of seven people named by President Donald Trump to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor.

Also included are retiring Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah; former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach; Pro Football Hall of Famer, philanthropist and Minnesota Supreme Court Judge Alan Page; philanthropist Miriam Adelson, wife of casino magnate and major Republican donor Sheldon Adelson.

Presley, the rock and roll legend from Tupelo, Miss., died in 1977 at the age of 42; Baseball giant Ruth was 53 when he died in 1948. Scalia, who served on the Supreme Court for 30 years, died in 2016 at the age of 79.

The awards will be presented Nov. 16.

The honor, which is not necessarily given every year, can be bestowed by the president to individuals deemed to have made especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.

The Medal of Freedom was established by President Harry Truman in 1945 and greatly expanded by President John F. Kennedy, adding the distinctive medal of a golden star with white enamel against a red enamel pentagon behind it. It is attached to a blue sash worn around the neck.

The Medal of Freedom can be awarded posthumously and to non-Americans.

It can also bestowed more than once. Gen. Colin Powell has received two such awards, the second with distinction. </s> WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has announced his first recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom and they include the wife of a major Republican Party donor, the longest-serving Republican senator in U.S. history, Elvis Presley and Babe Ruth.

Trump will also posthumously recognize the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia.

Medals are going to Miriam Adelson, a doctor and wife of casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, a Republican donor; Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch, who is retiring after more than 41 years in the U.S. Senate; former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach and Alan Page, who began a legal career after leaving the NFL.

The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the nation’s highest honor for a civilian. </s> Image zoom Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

President Donald Trump named Elvis Presley among this year’s recipients for the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the White House announced on Saturday.

Other recipients named for “the Nation’s highest civilian honor” include baseball legend Babe Ruth, former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach, conservative Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, GOP Senator Orrin Hatch, doctor and philanthropist Miriam Adelson (wife of billionaire Republican megadonor Sheldon Adelson), judge and Pro Football Hall of Famer Alan Page.

This is the first time Trump will bestow a Medal of Freedom as president.

Presley, who died in 1977, is one of three recipients to receive the distinction posthumously, including Ruth and Scalia. He’s also one of few entertainers (even if you include the world of sports) receiving a medal this year, no doubt due to most of the entertainment industry’s rejection of Trump, his rhetoric, and politics. Many musicians also spoke out against Trump for use of their music during rallies.

“Elvis Presley defined American culture to billions of adoring fans around the world,” reads a statement from the White House. “Elvis fused gospel, country, and rhythm and blues to create a sound all his own, selling more than a billion records. Elvis also served nearly 2 years in the United States Army, humbly accepting the call to serve despite his fame. He later starred in 31 films, drew record-breaking audiences to his shows, sent television ratings soaring, and earned 14 GRAMMY Award nominations. He ultimately won 3 GRAMMY Awards for his gospel music. Elvis Presley remains an enduring American icon 4 decades after his death.”

Scalia died in 2016 during Barack Obama’s presidency, but the Republicans in power refused to let the sitting commander in chief proceed with his nomination. Trump eventually filled the seat with Neil Gorsuch after taking office.

Hatch was one of the more vocal supporters of Trump’s second Supreme Court Justice appointment, Brett Kavanaugh, who was accused of sexual assault. Hatch told a group of female Kavanaugh protestors during the hearings to “grow up.”

Adelson founded two research centers fighting against substance abuse, in addition to the Adelson Medical Research Foundation. Along with her husband, she is one of the largest Republican donors.

As for the athletes, Page played in the NFL for 15 years before serving as a judge. In 1988, he started the Page Education Foundation, which went on to provide scholarships to nearly 7,000 students. Staubach, another Hall of Famer, won two Super Bowls as quarterback, served during the Vietnam War, and worked with charities and businesses.

Obama awarded the most Medals of Freedom over the course of his eight-year presidency. Among the 123 medals he gave out were honors for Ellen DeGeneres, Robert De Niro, Meryl Streep, Stevie Wonder, Tom Hanks, Diana Ross, Bruce Springsteen, Cicely Tyson, Gloria Estefan, Steven Spielberg, and Barbra Streisand.

Related content: </s> President Donald Trump has announced his first recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom and they include two athletes with strong ties to Maryland — Babe Ruth and Roger Staubach.

Ruth, one of baseball’s all-time greats, was born in Baltimore. Staubach, who is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, won the Heisman Trophy playing for Navy.

Also named to receive the award on Nov. 16 was the wife of a major Republican Party donor, the longest-serving Republican senator in U.S. history and Elvis Presley.

Trump will also posthumously recognize the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia.

Medals are going to Miriam Adelson, a doctor and wife of casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, a Republican donor; Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch, who is retiring after more than 41 years in the U.S. Senate; and Alan Page, who began a legal career after leaving the NFL.

Born on Emory Street in Pigtown in 1895, Ruth played 22 years with the Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees and Boston Braves, and batted .342, hit 714 home runs and had 2,213 RBI. He played on seven World Series champions and was a charter member of the Hall of Fame in 1936. Ruth died in 1948.

Staubach was a first-team All-American and recipient of both the Heisman Trophy and Maxwell Trophy in 1963 for the Mids. He led Navy to a 21-15 win over Army that year in the annual rivalry game that was delayed a week because of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. After serving in Vietnam, Staubach went on to a Hall of Fame career with the Dallas Cowboys.

The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the nation's highest honor for a civilian. According to a White House statement Saturday, the medal is awarded to those who have "made especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.”

Trump did not name any Medal of Freedom winners in 2017. </s> The press is now learning about a list of people President Donald Trump is planning to award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to, Buzzfeed News is reporting. This medal is considered the highest honor for civilians, and Trump will be giving out a round of medals for the first time on Friday, November 16. Recipients include Elvis Presley, Babe Ruth, and Miriam Adelson. Adelson is one of the top donors to the Republican party and to Trump.

Adelson is a doctor who founded two research centers and is married to billionaire Sheldon Adelson, who is also one of the top donors for Trump. The Adelsons reportedly donated $100 million to Republican candidates for the 2018 election cycle. They also donated $20 million dollars to Trump during his 2016 presidential campaign, along with $5 million dollars towards his inauguration. This makes them the largest donors in U.S. politics. The couple were reportedly at the White House Tuesday evening to watch the mid-term election results with Trump.

Adelson is not being honored for her donations, however. According to a statement released by the White House, she is being celebrated for her work as a doctor, philanthropist, and humanitarian. It has also been reported that the Adelsons, who openly support many pro-Israel causes, influenced Trump to move the US Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, prompting speculation that they may have had a direct influence on government operations through their substantial financial contributions.

In addition to Adelson, Trump is also awarding a medal to Justice Antonin Scalia, the conservative Supreme Court Justice who died in 2016. Republican Senator Orrin Hatch will be also receiving one. Hatch has most recently made headlines during the Brett Kavanaugh trial, after he told a group of female protesters to “grow up.” Other recipients include Justice Alan Page and Roger Staubach, two former NFL players who have done significant charity work. Page was previously inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and then became a judge on the Minnesota Supreme Court. As for Staubach, he is a Vietnam war veteran who won the Super Bowl twice with the Dallas Cowboys.

While this may seem like a lot of people, Obama still holds the title for most medals given out of any president, having awarded a total of 123 people throughout his eight years in office. This is only Trump’s first Presidential Medal of Freedom ceremony, however, so he has time to catch up to Obama’s grand total. </s> WASHINGTON, D.C. -- President Donald Trump bestowed Tiger Woods with the nation's highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, on Monday evening in the White House Rose Garden.

The duo shares a love of the game of golf, but both have also risen to unpredictable and spectacular comebacks: Trump from bankruptcy to the presidency; Woods from public shaming following multiple affairs, injuries and a resulting painkiller addiction, to winning this year's Masters.

The Medal of Freedom recognizes individuals who have made "an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavors," according to the executive order designating the award. Since taking office, Trump has presented the award to numerous athletes, including Alan Page, Roger Staubach, and a posthumous award to Babe Ruth.

Trump, who has a long history with Woods, said in a tweet after the Masters that he had congratulated the golfer on the win and his comeback, announcing that he would be giving him the award.

"Spoke to @TigerWoods to congratulate him on the great victory he had in yesterday's @TheMasters, & to inform him that because of his incredible Success & Comeback in Sports (Golf) and, more importantly, LIFE, I will be presenting him with the PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL OF FREEDOM!" the tweet said.

Woods' career slumped following his divorce and surrounding scandal in late 2009 and early 2010. He lost about $20 million from estimated endorsements after sponsors including Gatorade, AT&T, and Accenture cut ties. After a string of losses in 2011, Woods failed to make the World Golf Ranking's top 50 players list. But one fan who stuck with him: Donald Trump, who supported the embattled golfer in March 2013 via Twitter.

"I remained strong for @TigerWoods during his difficult period. He rewarded me (and himself) by winning at Trump National Doral," Trump wrote.

Days later, Woods regained his No. 1 ranking.

While it's entirely up to the President's discretion as to who receives the Medal of Freedom, the choice of Woods, who at 43 is still relatively young compared to other recipients, has raised eyebrows for Trump's business ties to the pro golfer.

Trump, an avid golfer, owns courses across the world and frequently hits the links, playing most recently this Saturday at the Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Virginia. His Trump National Doral in Miami has a villa named for Woods. According to The New York Times, Woods celebrated his first Masters win in 1997 at Trump's Taj Mahal casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

And, per the Times, Woods is designing a course in Dubai that would be managed by the Trump Organization. Though it was expected to be completed by the end of 2017, it has yet to open, and a spokesman for Woods declined to comment to the Times.

The President has played multiple rounds with Woods, including alongside Jack Nicklaus in February at Trump National Golf Club in Jupiter, Florida.

Trump has been known to cheat on the golf course, including, reportedly, during previous games with Woods. But Rush Limbaugh, who recently played with the President, says it's all in good fun.

"He picks whoever's playing the best and puts himself on their team, and it may -- he may change teams two or three times in a round. It's just fun," he told Fox News, adding, "It's a faux competition but it's just fun. If somebody hits a bad shot, he just tells them, 'Drop another ball, we're out here having fun.' There's no stress in it."

For his part, Woods defended his friendly relationship with the President, saying he respects the office.

"Well, he's the President of the United States," Woods said, according to Yahoo Sports. "You have to respect the office. No matter who is in the office, you may like, dislike personality or the politics, but we all must respect the office."
Elvis Presley, Babe Ruth, Roger Staubach, Antonin Scalia, Orrin Hatch, doctor and philanthropist Miriam Adelson, and Alan Page are expected to be recipients for the Presidential Medal of Freedom award.