Stars shun Trump’s ‘elegant’ day
DONALD Trump has promised a “very, very elegant” inauguration ceremony when the world watches him being sworn in as the 45th US president tomorrow.
But some will not be there to witness the moment the billionaire businessman makes his solemn pledge before entering the Oval Office.
Dozens of Democratic politicians have said they will boycott the Republican’s swearing in, while thousands of protestors are expected to march the next day.
The inauguration concert after the ceremony will feature lesserknown acts including rock band 3 Doors Down and country singers Toby Keith and Lee Greenwood.
The line-up shows the difficulty the politician has had finding celebrities to appear at what is usually a star-studded spectacle.
For Barack Obama’s first inauguration concert the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder and Beyonce played.
Celine Dion, Elton John and Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli all reportedly declined invitations to perform at a Trump “Make America great again welcome celebration”. Sir Elton said: “I’m British. I’ve met Donald Trump, he was very nice to me. It’s nothing personal, his political views are his own, mine are very different, I’m not a Republican in a million years.”
Feud
Trump’s pledge for a “special” and “elegant” event was issued on the same day it emerged that more than 50 Democratic lawmakers will boycott tomorrow’s event amid a feud between Trump and Congressman John Lewis. Mr Lewis, 76, a veteran of the 1960s black rights struggle, called Trump’s victory illegitimate because of Russia’s “interference” in the election.
The President-elect hit back, attacking the Georgia lawmaker as “all talk, talk, talk – no action or results”, prompting outrage.
During the ceremony itself, A list stars will host a live telethon to raise money for pro-choice charity Planned Parenthood and the American Civil Liberties Union.
And on Saturday, thousands are expected to attend a “Women’s March” in Washington including film stars Scarlett Johansson and Patricia Arquette. Meanwhile today’s Garden State Gala in Washington DC has seen two acts drop out.
Bruce Springsteen tribute act the B-Street Band withdrew after pressure from fans.
And Broadway singer Jennifer Holliday wrote an open letter apologising for originally agreeing to perform.
She said: “I did not take into consideration that my performing for the concert would actually instead be taken as a political act against my own personal beliefs.”