Twenty-five years ago today, pop superstar Michael Jackson visited the White House to receive the Presidential Public Safety Communication Award from President Ronald Reagan in a brief ceremony on the White House lawn. Then 25, Jackson received the award for allowing his smash single, “Beat It,” to be used in a television and radio advertising campaign against teenage drunk driving. Jackson’s visit had been kept a secret until the last minute to avoid attracting overwhelming crowds. The ceremony lasted less than 10 minutes.
“Well, isn’t this a thriller,” quipped President Reagan to open his remarks, which made reference to several other Jackson hits and also included an appeal “from your fans in the Washington, D.C., area” encouraging the singer to include the District on his upcoming summer concert tour. Upon accepting the award, Jackson, who was dressed in his classic early-’80s style of a blue Sgt. Pepper jacket with gold trim, sequined socks, dark sunglasses, and one gloved hand, said simply: “I’m very, very honored. Thank you very much, Mr. President and Mrs. Reagan.”
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