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Journalism of Courage
In a special ceremony hosted at the White House, US President Donald Trump awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to wrestler Dan Gable who was accompanied by family and staff. However, Trump’s decision to walk out of the ceremony abruptly left the awardee standing and shrugging. The moment has since been widely shared on social media.
The Olympic wrestler received the country’s highest civilian honour at the Oval Office. During the ceremony, the US president asked the 72-year-old former gold medalist and national champion if Trump could beat him because of his size advantage. Gabel replied, “You would have no chance”, leaving the gathering in spilts.
After Gable received his medal, he gave a speech and then the assembled reporters tried to ask Trump questions. But the US President instead just walked out, leaving Gable and his family standing in the Oval Office.
Watch the moment here:
Gable’s reaction got many talking online, and brought back the ‘Diaper Don’ references that surfaced following the .
https://twitter.com/BlueGirlsRule/status/1336120822222622720
https://twitter.com/80_Agon/status/1336123993061900288
https://twitter.com/FirenzeMike/status/1336138822019641349
https://twitter.com/RoLwillwin/status/1336134084037369858
https://twitter.com/Ampersand113/status/1336155636007055360
https://twitter.com/old_images/status/1336209388638511104
“He’s the greatest wrestler, probably ever,” Trump said about Gable, a renowned wrestler and coach from Iowa who won a gold medal at the 1972 Summer Olympics. “He’s made our country very proud and he’s a true GOAT.”
Trump used an October campaign rally to announce the selection of Gable for the Presidential Medal of Freedom, bringing him on stage to the delight of the crowd as he sought to win over Iowa voters. The ceremony on Monday at the White House fulfills that commitment.
[With inputs from AP]
