Donald Trump announced Wednesday that he will host the Kennedy Center honors this year and said he has been involved in choosing who to nominate, rejecting people he thinks are too free.
The U.S. president was named actor Sylvester Stallone, singer Gloria Gaynor, rock band KISS, country music star George Strait, and actor and singer Michael Crawford, the first awards for the Kennedy Center honorary nominee, who has taken over as president of the Washington Center for the Arts since he returned to the White House this year.
The president usually attends the annual honors event in December each year, but sits in the audience as a VIP and hosts a reception for the winners at the White House. Trump’s announcement that he will host the event is a breakthrough from tradition, although there is no detail on which form.
His announcement continues to promote his authority over American cultural institutions, For example, the Smithsonianand Democratic-led cities and on the first day of the Federal National Guard On duty Follow the president’s order on the streets of Washington. Trump cited the crisis of crime and homelessness in the U.S. capital to recognize criticism from his opponents.
Trump said in a Wednesday morning appearance at the Arts Center that he intends to “completely refurbish” the entire Kennedy Center infrastructure to make it a “crown jewelry” for American art and culture.
“We will take it to a higher level than ever before,” the president said, adding that the venue will be exhibited at the 250th anniversary celebration of the U.S. next year.
Trump said he had been invited to host the Kennedy Center honors and reluctantly agreed.
Trump avoided the Kennedy Center Award in the first semester after the artist said he would not avoid the Kennedy Center Award in the first semester after the protests. After taking over as chairman this year, he fired the board and replaced it when the venue’s offerings were overhauled.
In March, the producer of the rap musical Hamilton left Broadway hit single, citing Trump’s active takeover of the agency’s leadership.
In a Truth Society post on Tuesday, Trump mocked the center’s name change, officially for the John Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and said it would restore its past glory.
“I mean, the great nominee of the Trump/KF Center, the Kennedy Center, the awards,” Trump wrote. He said the work is being done on the site, which will take it “back to the absolute highest luxury, charm and entertainment.”
“It has been in trouble during the difficult times, but it will make a comeback soon!!!” he wrote. He did not announce the change of his name when he appeared late Wednesday.
House Republicans renamed the Kennedy Center Opera House in July to a law-signed amendment to spending Bill Trump, but the venue has not been renamed. Maria Shriver, niece of late Democratic President Kennedy, criticized a separate House proposal for renaming the entire center after Trump.
Trump said the winners selected this year were “about 98% of the participation”. He added that he “rejected a lot” names, calling the people “too awake” or too free. He described the artist he announced Wednesday as including several of his favorites, “great people.”
Historically, bipartisan advisory committees have selected recipients, and over the years, they have ranged from George Balanchine and Tom Hanks to Aretha Franklin, Joni Mitchell and Stephen Sondheim.
In the past, Trump has proposed the idea of awarding the Kennedy Center honorary status, one of three actors named Hollywood ambassador earlier this year. Anka was supposed to perform my way at Trump’s first inaugural dance and quit at the last minute.
The Kennedy Center honor was founded in 1978 and was awarded to numerous artists.
The Associated Press contributed the report
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