President Obama gave the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, to 21 artists, sports figures, scientists and philanthropists in a bravura performance that had the East Wing, stuffed to capacity, laughing and whooping with appreciation.

Barack Obama Awards His Last Presidential Medals of Freedom highest civilian honor

Mr. Obama has given more Presidential Medals of Freedom than any previous president

Barack Obama, accompanied by Melinda Gates, left, presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Bill Gates

Many of the awardees have praised Democrats or been sharply critical of President-elect Donald J. Trump.

Barack Obama presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Diana Ross

Mr. Hanks and his wife are large donors to Mr. Obama and other Democrats

President Barack Obama presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to actor Tom Hanks

Among the honorees were Robert Redford, Bill and Melinda Gates, Tom Hanks and Diana Ross. When he put the medal around the neck of Michael Jordan, Mr. Obama, an avid basketball fan, beamed like a 10-year-old.

Barack Obama presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to former NBA basketball player Kareem Abdul Jabbar

President Obama gave the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, to 21 artists, sports figures, scientists and philanthropists in a bravura performance that had the East Wing, stuffed to capacity, laughing and whooping with appreciation.