The Kennedy Center Honors honor people who have made a huge impact in Arts and Entertainment. An honor you would think that anyone who is slated to get one would attend. Not this year. First Norman Lear said he would not attend the event because of the President, then Lionel Richie and Gloria Estefan said they were not sure if they would go and finally yesterday dancer Carmen de Lavallade bowed out. Since you can have the Kennedy Center Honors without the nominees, the President decided not to attend. The White House said, “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.” Translation, they do not want me there, I get it. In return, he will probably cancel all funding to all arts programs as revenge. At least that I was thinking he will do.
When it comes to the Kennedy Center, they told ABC News, “The Kennedy Center respects the decision made by today by the president. Then they added, “In choosing not to participate…the administration has graciously signaled its respect for the Kennedy Center and ensures the Honors gala remains a deservingly special moment for the honorees.” In other words, thank you for not coming.
45 is only the third time a President did not attend the gala and the first to due so because he was not wanted there. President Carter cancelled in 1979 due to the Iran Hostage situation and President Clinton skipped out in 1994 because he was on a trip to Budapest for a security conference on Europe.
