Singer Gloria Estefan, perhaps best known as lead singer for the Miami Sound Machine, praised President Trump for making a smart decision in skipping the annual Kennedy Center Honors.
Estefan appreciated the President’s decision to skip the show and let the honorees be the focus of the celebration.
“You know what I am thankful that he did that, because it took away controversy from the mix,” the 60-year-old Cuban-American singer told TMZ. “You have somebody like Norman Lear that’s 95 and has worked his whole life to get that award. To get it mixed up with the stuff that has nothing to do with the reason we are all there.”
“It was nice of the president to give us that,” she finished. “That was a very nice thing to do.”
Was she being snarky? Was it a back-handed compliment? You decide …
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvrdjnUofyk
It seemed rather genuine. The President, after all, is almost always the center of attention and the media would almost assuredly latch onto his every word to find the next remark they can exploit on behalf of the Democrat Party.
So it probably was a good thing for these artists to not have Trump there.
President Trump and First Lady Melania both announced they would not attend the event after “All in the Family” creator Norman Lear and dancer Carmen de Lavallade said they would boycott any festivities held at the White House to celebrate the honorees.
“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,” a White House statement read.
Aside from Estefan, Lear, and de Lavallade, singer Lionel Ritchie and rapper LL Cool J were guests of honor.
Five great artists were recognized at the Kennedy Center honors on Sunday night, which President Trump did not attend. Honorees included Norman Lear, LL Cool J and Gloria Estefan https://t.co/H0PMVnYnDr pic.twitter.com/wfy1oQBlVi
— CBS News (@CBSNews) December 4, 2017
It should be noted that Trump’s attendance could have gone off without a hitch or without ‘focus on the arts’ being tainted. It was Lear and de Lavallade who made it political by insisting on a boycott. Perhaps had they simply been grateful for the honor, the President wouldn’t have had to skip.
While most presidents have attended the Kennedy Center Honors in the past, Trump isn’t the first to bail out. Presidents Carter, George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton all missed ceremonies during their time in office. Trump’s absence was the first such time in 20 years.
Kennedy Center officials also thanked the President and First Lady for taking the high road.
“In choosing not to participate in this year’s honor’s activities, the administration has graciously signaled its respect for the Kennedy Center and ensures the honors gala remains a deservingly special moment for the honorees,” a statement read.
Do you think Estefan’s thank you to President Trump was sincere? Tell us your thoughts below!