To the surprise of no one, Donald and Melania Trump will once again be skipping this years Kennedy Center Honors gala. Stephanie Grisham, the First Ladys spokeswoman, told The Washington Post on Tuesday that the duo have no plans to attend “at this time.” The decision now seems par for the course for the political couple, who also skipped the 2017 gala.
This years ceremony will honor composer Philip Glass, country singer Reba McEntire, jazz musician Wayne Shorter, and Cher, whos so unabashedly anti-Trump that some wondered whether the president would dare face her wrath at the KenCen. Alas, the world will be deprived of this potential showdown.
The Kennedy Center Honors are typically attended by the sitting president and First Lady, who have no say in who the honorees are. However, Donald Trump faced backlash in 2017 when honorees Norman Lear and Carmen de Lavallade said they would go to the gala but skip the accompanying White House reception. The Trumps then quickly announced they would sit out the celebrations altogether in order to avoid “any political distraction.”
If the Trumps were to attend this years event, however, they might find a slightly more accepting slate. Though Cher is virulently anti-Trump, her fellow 2018 honorees have mixed stances. McEntire has declined to make political comments, telling The New York Times shed “be there with bells on. I have been looking forward to this so much.” Shorter also said he would attend. Glass, who has called the president an “idiot” in the past, said he would attend as well, no matter if Donald Trump showed up or not. Cher did not comment on the president after news of her win broke, though she did say she was “very grateful to the Kennedy Center.”
This years Kennedy Center Honors will also recognize the musical Hamilton with a special honor. Creator Lin-Manuel Miranda, another vocal critic of the Trump administration, who once said the president was going “straight to hell” for the way he botched aid to Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria, also didnt comment on whether he would attend at the time of the announcement. He did, however, say he was “honored honored honored” by the recognition. The 2018 ceremony will take place on December 2.
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Get Vanity Fairs HWD NewsletterSign up for essential industry and award news from Hollywood.Full ScreenPhotos:Stan Lees Most Iconic Characters
Spider-Man
This teenaged, web-slinging vigilante from Queens, perhaps Lees most beloved character of all, first appeared in Amazing Fantasy #15 in 1962. Now Peter Parker and his alter-ego are one of the best known comic-book characters of all time, with multiple film adaptations—most recently, 2017s Spider-Man: Homecoming.Photo: By Chuck Zlotnick/©Columbia Pictures/Everett Collection.
Ant-Man
There have been multiple Ant-Men since the suit first debuted in 1962; it belonged to Hank Pym before Scott Lang took over the alias, followed by Eric OGrady. In the M.C.U., Michael Douglas plays Hank Pym, while Paul Rudd plays the current Ant-Man, Scott Lang. He might shrink down very small, but as weve seen in the three films in which hes appeared so far, he packs quite a punch.Photo: From ©Marvel/©Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures/Everett Collection.
The Hulk
Bruce Banner has been hulking out for a long time—since 1962, when the characters first comic debuted. And although the transformations are never pleasant for him, he has earned the distinction of being one of the most instantly recognizable comic characters of all time. Hes had a TV series, video games, multiple film adaptations—the works. Most recently, hes been portrayed by Mark Ruffalo.Photo: From ©Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures/Everett Collection.
Black Panther
In addition to his distinction as king and foremost warrior of Wakanda, the Black Panther—also known as TChalla—was also the first superhero of African descent in the comics world when he debuted in 1966. Now, hes a box-office legend as well.Photo: From ©Marvel/©Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures/Everett Collection.
Scarlet Witch
Although shes a part of the M.C.U. now, Scarlet Witch made her debut in an X-Men comic back in 1964. She and her brother Quicksilver are actually at the center of what turned out to be a fascinating rights agreement between Fox and Marvel, as both studios lay claim to the characters: Marvel cannot call Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver “mutants” or allude to their father, Magneto. Elizabeth Olsen currently plays the character in the M.C.U.Photo: From ©Marvel/©Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures/Everett Collection.
The Fantastic Four
With their inaugural appearance in 1961, these guys were Stan Lee and Jack Kirbys first team of superheroes‚ and although the movie adaptations havent always been great, Mister Fantastic, the Invisible Woman, the Human Torch, and the Thing have lived on in comics ever since.Photo: From © 20th Century Fox/Everett Collection.
Daredevil
This guy has come a long way since 1964: multiple animated series, that Ben Affleck movie and, perhaps most notably, a starring role in Netflixs first Marvel series—which made way for Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and many more.Photo: By Patrick Harbron/Netflix.PreviousNext
Spider-Man
This teenaged, web-slinging vigilante from Queens, perhaps Lees most beloved character of all, first appeared in Amazing Fantasy #15 in 1962. Now Peter Parker and his alter-ego are one of the best known comic-book characters of all time, with multiple film adaptations—most recently, 2017s Spider-Man: Homecoming.By Chuck Zlotnick/©Columbia Pictures/Everett Collection.
Ant-Man
There have been multiple Ant-Men since the suit first debuted in 1962; it belonged to Hank Pym before Scott Lang took over the alias, followed by Eric OGrady. In the M.C.U., Michael Douglas plays Hank Pym, while Paul Rudd plays the current Ant-Man, Scott Lang. He might shrink down very small, but as weve seen in the three films in which hes appeared so far, he packs quite a punch.From ©Marvel/©Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures/Everett Collection.
The Hulk
Bruce Banner has been hulking out for a long time—since 1962, when the characters first comic debuted. And although the transformations are never pleasant for him, he has earned the distinction of being one of the most instantly recognizable comic characters of all time. Hes had a TV series, video games, multiple film adaptations—the works. Most recently, hes been portrayed by Mark Ruffalo.From ©Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures/Everett Collection.
Black Panther
In addition to his distinction as king and foremost warrior of Wakanda, the Black Panther—also known as TChalla—was also the first superhero of African descent in the comics world when he debuted in 1966. Now, hes a box-office legend as well.From ©Marvel/©Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures/Everett Collection.
The X-Men
This group of mutants made their debut in 1963, complete with their leader, Professor X, and their most formidable enemy, Magneto. They may be mutants only because their creator didnt want to come up with a more elaborate backstory—but then again, is that not the most relatable origin of all?From ©20th Century Fox Film Corp./Everett Collection.
Iron Man
Before he was played by Robert Downey Jr., this playboy mogul and his super-suit first appeared in Tales of Suspense #39 in 1963. The character has been adapted for a variety of media, but his biggest claim to fame is as the lynchpin of the M.C.U.—and the persona who revitalized Robert Downey Jr.s film career.From ©Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures/Everett Collection.
Black Widow
This is actually a big year for Natasha Romanoff, who made her first debut in 1964; after endless fan lobbying, the spy-turned-superhero is finally getting her own movie. Its about time; shes appeared in six of the M.C.U. films so far.By Jay Maidment/©Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures/Everett Collection.
Thor and Loki
He might be a demigod, but Thor is actually about the same age as the rest of Stan Lees best known characters. He first debuted in 1962, and has since appeared in both a TV movie (in 1988) and, most notably, multiple times in the M.C.U., as portrayed with infectious glee by Chris Hemsworth. While the modern incarnation of Thors adopted younger brother, Loki, appeared two issues after Thor did in 1962, an earlier version of him actually first appeared in Venus #6, in 1949.From ©Marvel/©Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures/Everett Collection.
Doctor Strange
The Sorcerer Supreme first appeared in Strange Tales #110, and got a live-action TV movie in 1978. Now, however, most people associate the character with Benedict Cumberbatch, who has played the mage in three Marvel Studios films and counting.From ©Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures/Everett Collection.
Groot
Hes been saying “I am Groot” since 1960—and doing so in Vin Diesels voice since 2014.From ©Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures/Everett Collection.
Scarlet Witch
Although shes a part of the M.C.U. now, Scarlet Witch made her debut in an X-Men comic back in 1964. She and her brother Quicksilver are actually at the center of what turned out to be a fascinating rights agreement between Fox and Marvel, as both studios lay claim to the characters: Marvel cannot call Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver “mutants” or allude to their father, Magneto. Elizabeth Olsen currently plays the character in the M.C.U.From ©Marvel/©Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures/Everett Collection.
The Fantastic Four
With their inaugural appearance in 1961, these guys were Stan Lee and Jack Kirbys first team of superheroes‚ and although the movie adaptations havent always been great, Mister Fantastic, the Invisible Woman, the Human Torch, and the Thing have lived on in comics ever since.From © 20th Century Fox/Everett Collection.
Daredevil
This guy has come a long way since 1964: multiple animated series, that Ben Affleck movie and, perhaps most notably, a starring role in Netflixs first Marvel series—which made way for Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and many more.By Patrick Harbron/Netflix.
Yohana DestaYohana Desta is a Hollywood writer for VanityFair.com.
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