President Joe Biden awarded medals to a group of singers, authors, artists, and humanitarians, including Bruce Springsteen, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Mindy Kaling, and Gladys Knight at the White House. Colson Whitehead, author of “The Underground Railroad” and “The Nickel Boys,” whom Biden noted had already won back-to-back Pulitzer Prizes, was also honored. The event, Biden’s first awards for the arts and humanities and delayed by the pandemic, was a feel-good gathering in the East Room. The honorees, who work in various fields such as dance, art, design, history, music, writing, and philanthropy, stepped forward to receive their awards one by one. Biden also joked about seeking reelection before proceeding to present the medals.