Kennedy Center lauds artists, avoids Trump
A few months ago, it looked like the annual Kennedy Center Honors program was in danger of being engulfed by the country’s divisive political mood.
Honoree Norman Lear, whose political activism goes back decades, threatened to boycott rather than attend ceremonies that involved President Donald Trump. With other members of the 2017 class of inductees expressing support for Lear’s position, a nasty showdown appeared to be looming — until Trump announced in late August that he and first lady Melania Trump would not attend.
Trump’s withdrawal cleared the way for a Kennedy Center Honors ceremony Sunday night that skipped the political drama and focused on the artists.
Lear, the television producer behind “All in the Family” and a string of other hits, reacted with mock surprise when asked about Trump’s absence.
“Really? Wow!” Lear said as he entered the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. “I’m expecting a warm, funny, wonderful evening. My guess is that the focus tonight will be on the arts.”
Lear’s prediction came true and the event progressed with almost no mention of politics. In addition to Lear, the ceremony honored rapper and actor LL Cool J, dancer and choreographer Carmen de Lavallade and singers Lionel Richie and Gloria Estefan. The program will be televised Dec. 26 on CBS.