Trump bails on Kennedy Ctr. Honors

PRESIDENT TRUMP and First Lady Melania Trump said they will skip December’s Kennedy Center Honors ceremony with the hopes of avoiding “political distraction.”

The White House in a statement Saturday said the first couple “extend their sincerest congratulations and well wishes to all of this year’s award recipients.”

It’s one of several events regularly attended by Presidents past, including the White House Correspondents’ dinner in April, that Trump has decided against participating in.

Some of those slated to receive the award, which recognizes achievement in art, music dance, film, and television, have already announced their intent to boycott the event.

Writer and producer Norman Lear said earlier this month he would not attend Trump’s White House reception because of the administration’s proposed cuts to art funding.

Dancer and choreographer Carmen de Lavallade also announced she would boycott, citing Trump’s “socially divisive and morally caustic” politics.

“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 gala remains a deservingly special moment for its honorees,” Kennedy Center leadership said in a statement to the New York Times.

In its 40-year history, the Kennedy Center Honors ceremony has been attended by sitting Presidents on all but three occasions. President Bill Clinton skipped the event in 1994 for a conference in Budapest and in 1989 President George H.W. Bush missed out to handle a summit in Malta with Mikhail Gorbachev. Jimmy Carter did not attend the ceremony in 1979 amid the Iran hostage crisis.