Trumps bow out of Kennedy Center gala
President, first lady decide not to present a ‘political distraction’ after honorees plan to skip part of the event.
WASHINGTON — President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump will not attend the annual Kennedy Center honors in December, a traditional showcase of the nation’s arts, to avoid creating a political distraction, the White House said Saturday.
Several honorees had said they would boycott a part of the high-profile ceremony to protest Trump’s policies, including proposed cuts in spending for the arts.
The White House decision came a day after the president’s entire 17-member arts and humanities advisory council quit Friday to protest his response to the white supremacist rally that turned violent in Charlottesville, Va., last weekend.
“The President and First Lady have decided not to participate in this year’s activities to allow the honorees to celebrate without any political distraction,” Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said in a statement.
“First Lady Melania Trump, along with her husband President Donald J. Trump, extend their sincerest congratulations and well wishes to all of this year’s award recipients for their many accomplishments.”
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the ceremony at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and the five honorees announced this month include top artists.
Some artists had said they would skip the reception with the president that is traditionally held at the White House before the event, according to the Washington Post.
Television producer Norman Lear, singer Lionel Richie and dancer Carmen de Lavallade said they would not attend the reception at the White House, the report said.
Another honoree, Cuban American singer Gloria Estefan, said she was planning to attend in hopes of influencing the president on immigration issues, while rapper LL Cool J hadn’t said whether he would go.
That pre-gala event will no longer take place, the Kennedy Center said, and all honorees will attend the ceremony in December.
“The Kennedy Center respects the decision made today by the office of the President of the United States,” Chairman David M. Rubenstein and President Deborah F. Rutter said in a statement.
“In choosing not to participate in this year’s Honors activities, the Administration has graciously signaled its respect for the Kennedy Center and ensures the Honors gala remains a deservingly special moment for the Honorees. We are grateful for this gesture.”
The White House did not provide details about its concerns.
Other high-profile guests have declined invitations to the White House in protest of the president.
The collapse of the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities followed the departure of top business executives from his manufacturing and infrastructure council, which soon after was dissolved.