KENNEDY CENTER HONORS GO HEAVY ON MUSICIANS

Reba McEntire, Cher, composer Philip Glass and saxophonist Wayne Shorter will receive the Kennedy Center Honors, as will the Broadway musical Hamilton. Question now is, what happens if the president attends the event?

The annual tribute to artists has always gone to individuals in its 41-year history; this is the first time a work will be honored.

“In recognizing Hamilton and its co-creators, the Kennedy Center is making an unprecedented statement about an unprecedented work—a work that transcends cultural boundaries and tells America’s story in a powerful and contemporary way,” John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts President Deborah F. Rutter said.

She told The New York Times, “I’m disappointed that Mr. Trump may not like it. But in fact, this is not a rebuke. This is about celebrating a powerful work of art and I will always stand by the power of the arts.”

Historically nonpartisan, the event became politicized last year when honorees noted their issues with the president and his anti-arts agenda. The Trumps did not attend last year, only the fourth time in its history the president was not in the audience.

“I will be there with bells on,” McEntire told the Times. “I have been looking forward to this so much.” Shorter will definitely attend as well.

As the Times notes, Cher has compared the president to Hitler, Glass has called Trump an idiot and Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda has said Trump is going to hell for his response to the hurricane disaster in Puerto Rico.

The show takes place 12/2 and airs on CBS on 12/26.

We’ll keep checking Twitter to see if Trump calls any of the honorees overrated.