Outgoing President Barack Obama's "surprise" decision to award the Medal of Freedom to Vice President Joe Biden left the noted shotgun evangelist and plagiarist in tears.
Joe Biden openly crying as President Obama surprises him with the Medal of Freedom
— Kasie Hunt (@kasie) January 12, 2017
Biden was not alone. Self-described objective reporters across the country copped to getting a lump in their collective throats by the undeniably unscripted moment. MSNBC political correspondent Kasie Hunt said she was moved to tears.
(I'm not crying. You're crying.)
— Kasie Hunt (@kasie) January 12, 2017
Hunt was able to maintain her composure during the Sandy Hook shooting, the murder of American Sniper Chris Kyle, and daily updates on Aleppo.
Huffington Post politics reporter Jennifer Bendery was so touched by the event that she used the term twice.
That was one of the most touching tributes I've ever seen. pic.twitter.com/pRNiAIGYwN
— Jennifer Bendery (@jbendery) January 12, 2017
This Biden tribute is so touching. "You made this guy totally whole," he tells Obama, choking up. pic.twitter.com/Ev8IPNpH5s
— Jennifer Bendery (@jbendery) January 12, 2017
Bendery, however, finds just about everything the Obama administration does touching.
Such a touching moment watching Obama give Ellen DeGeneres the Medal of Freedom. Both choked up. https://t.co/laIYSDXnGN
— Jennifer Bendery (@jbendery) November 23, 2016
And... touching moments of reflection gone in WH briefing. AP reporter: We're gonna miss you Jay. Anyway-- IRAQ.
— Jennifer Bendery (@jbendery) June 18, 2014
Harvey Milk stamp ceremony is over. That was really touching.
— Jennifer Bendery (@jbendery) May 22, 2014
NPR Justice Department correspondent Carrie Johnson was moved to the point of violating the Second Commandment by the display of raw emotion, uttering OMG—a phrase she generally reserves for trendy musicals.
— Carrie Johnson (@johnson_carrie) January 12, 2017
Omg the CIA account now getting in on the @HamiltonMusical craze https://t.co/fjJp2f0zrN
— Carrie Johnson (@johnson_carrie) July 4, 2016
Maxine Builder, a contributing editor to the feminist publication The Establishment and noted breakfast blogger, could not help herself.
I'm sobbing. Will things in the White House ever be this good & kind again? https://t.co/qBddSxQR1j
— Maxine Builder (@maxine_builder) January 12, 2017
Matt Lauer told Today Show viewers he "burst into tears" at the sight of President Obama giving a handsy grandfather a medal. The last time he cried was when Mariano Rivera retired from baseball.
No one was more excited for the display of emotion than Chris Cillizza, creator of Washington Post's The Fix, which is "regarded as one of the most heavily trafficked blogs in Washington." Cilizza is a huge Biden fan, but his true passion is celebrating sentimental displays of weakness on both sides of the aisle.
THIS
— Chris Cillizza (@TheFix) January 12, 2017
The joy of Joe Biden is his greatest gift to politicshttps://t.co/XZnJkRhiTv
— Chris Cillizza (@TheFix) January 12, 2017
Biden's willingness to wear his heart on his sleeve is rare in politics these days. And makes him totally unique.
— Chris Cillizza (@TheFix) January 12, 2017
Boehner is SUPER old school. He's like Biden in that way. An era that is passed or passing ion Congress.
— Chris Cillizza (@TheFix) October 29, 2015
I love that John Boehner cries in public. Love it.
— Chris Cillizza (@TheFix) October 29, 2015
Remarkable emotion from Obama. Wipes away tears.
— Chris Cillizza (@TheFix) January 5, 2016
Sometimes I am literally overwhelmed with how much I love my children. Like brought to tears overwhelmed.
— Chris Cillizza (@TheFix) September 4, 2016
Al-Monitor correspondent Laura Rozen could not comprehend how anyone could watch the presentation without sobbing into their keyboards.
is anyone watching this not crying.
— Laura Rozen (@lrozen) January 12, 2017
Objective reporters who dutifully spent the past eight years giving "the news impartially, without fear or favor, regardless of party, sect, or interests involved" reacted as many around the country did to the spectacle of Biden, a career politician, receiving the nation's highest civilian honor. Take, for example, sex industry executive Adeline York.
Joe Biden crying because he is receiving the Presidential Medal of Honor made me cry. Dammit, Obama! WHY?!
— Adeline York (@_AdelineYork) January 12, 2017