Some guests at the Medal of Freedom ceremony on Monday groused that the Kennedy clan got special treatment.
President Obama awarded the prestigious medals to 18 honorees — including Stevie Wonder, Meryl Streep, Marlo Thomas and Tom Brokaw. But spies at the ceremony in the White House’s East Room said that honoree Ethel Kennedy, widow of Robert F. Kennedy, enjoyed special privileges.
One who attended sniffed, “Meryl and Marlo, who were both dressed in regal red, followed the rules like everyone else and brought five allowed guests to the ceremony.” But the source added, “Ethel didn’t follow suit — and she loaded the audience with over 20 members of the Kennedy clan.”
During his speech, Obama quipped of three-time Oscar winner Streep: “I think this is like the third or fourth award Meryl’s gotten since I’ve been in office.”
And he praised “That Girl” star Thomas’ acting career, as well as her work with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Kennedy received the president’s final remarks of the ceremony, including a shout-out to her “patriotic” offspring.
“Ethel is the matriarch of a patriotic family, and with her encouragement, many of her children and grandchildren are carrying on the Kennedy tradition of public service,” Obama said.
Veep Joe Biden was also in the crowd. A rep for Kennedy didn’t return a request for comment.