Bidens meet with Kennedy Center honorees, a tradition ignored by Trump

[highplainsdem]

Source: The Hill

President Biden and Jill Biden are returning to a tradition that had been broken by former President Trump, meeting with this year's Kennedy Center Honors recipients.

The commander in chief and first lady hosted country music singer Garth Brooks, actor Dick Van Dyke, violinist Midori, songwriter Joan Baez and choreographer Debbie Allen at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. on Thursday morning, according to the White House.

-snip-

The star-studded 43rd annual ceremony, typically held in December, had been postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. It is scheduled to air June 6 on CBS.

Trump bucked tradition by skipping the Honors year after year while in office. He and Melania Trump first opted out of attending the 2017 event after several of that year's honorees, including Norman Lear and dancer Carmen de Lavallade, said they would avoid a White House reception in protest of him.

Read more: https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/in-the-know/554634-bidens-meet-with-kennedy-center-honorees-a-tradition-ignored-by

[JI7]

1. Many honorees refused to meet with Trump

[Laura PourMeADrink]

8. Even early ( very early) on ?

[tanyev]

12. 2017:

In 2017, Norman Lear announced that he would accept the honors, but would boycott the White House ceremony because of his opposition to President Donald Trump, citing Trump's proposal to end the National Endowment for the Humanities and the National Endowment for the Arts.[42] Lear did attend the 2017 events and ceremony, but Donald and Melania Trump were not present, becoming the first U.S. presidential couple to skip the event, in order "to allow the honorees to celebrate without any political distraction".[20]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kennedy_Center_Honors#2010s

[dawg day]

2. Well, let's be fair-- Trump quickly learned that no matter where he went--

if there was anyone rational and non-MAGA-- he'd get booed.

[onetexan]

29. yes the Con-Idiot quickly learned he would not be accepted in polite society.

him & his trashy wife

[pressbox69]

32. Polite Society?

The Trumps had a hard time fitting in with humanity at large.

[Arkansas Granny]

3. He wouldn't have wanted to share the spotlight anyway.

[Rhiannon12866]

11. Great point. He'd only want to "honor" someone who'd done something for him

Since it would give him yet another chance to talk about himself.

[3catwoman3]

4. In addition to honorees not wanting to meet with him, he likely...

...couldn't stand the idea of being among truly talented people. Look at who he likes - Ted Nugent, Kid Rock.

[hlthe2b]

5. This makes me happy. Dick Van Dyke just turned 95 recently. So glad he's among the honorees

[pazzyanne]

15. Loved watching everything Dick Van Dyke made.

My favorites include Mary Poppins, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and Diagnosis Murder. He is a very multi-talented talented man.

[niyad]

18. Belated congratulations on your 5,000th post!

[pazzyanne]

21. Thank you, niyad!

Can't believe I made 5,000, but I really used my posts to clear anxiety about he who now blogs from Floida.

[niyad]

22. He has apparently decamped to NJ. Poor souls.

[pazzyanne]

24. ...

for NJ, but my cousin in Florida is happy!

[niyad]

25. I am happy for your cousin as well.

[Rebl2]

26. I thought

he had already been honored. I thought wrong. Such a talented man and well deserved!

[soldierant]

6. I am not now, never have been, and most certainly never will be

a Kennedy Center Honoree.

But if I were, I'd not want Trump** there.

[walkingman]

7. Joan Baez is a true hero of the civil rights movement. She and MLK were among the

first to participate in "Freedom Summer" in 1964.

[pazzyanne]

16. She was/is one of my heroines.

Love her music as well! I became an immediate fan in 1960 and remain one to this day.

[Cha]

9. TY & Thank Goodness

we have humanity Back in the White House!

[oasis]

20. I agree Cha, and it is truly refreshing.

Aloha

[Cha]

27. Aloha Friday to you, oasis!

[Joinfortmill]

10. Love this

[electric_blue68]

13. Wonderful.

[left-of-center2012]

14. I bet they didn't get a table full of BIG MACs

Why is Trump wearing an overcoat ?

[pazzyanne]

17. "Why is Trump wearing an overcoat ?"

He heard long lines make you look slimmer. (See his red tie as an example!)

[pfitz59]

31. Cheapest fuckwit in history

The entire White House kitchen at his disposal, and he fed people this crap. Shithead.

[niyad]

19. Thank goodness for class and decency.

[2Gingersnaps]

23. Normal

is just so.....peaceful.

[Grins]

28. Better headline...

“Tradition returns as Kennedy Center honorees meet a President they respect.”

[Martin68]

30. OK, I get the anger, but I'd suggest you don't need to remind us every time a president does

something normal. We won't forget the "Trump Deviation" anytime soon.