Cher has made it no secret that she absolutely loathes Donald Trump. The legendary performer has sent out endless tweets condemning the president, often replacing his name with a toilet emoji and comparing him to Hitler to really get the message across. And on Wednesday, it was reported that she had been selected as one of the honorees of this years Kennedy Center Honors, alongside stars like Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda (in a first, the musical itself will also receive a special award), country music star Reba McEntire, composer Philip Glass, and jazz pioneer Wayne Shorter.
Traditionally, the Kennedy Center Honors are attended by the sitting president and First Lady—but last year, amid anti-Trump protests and after honorees Norman Lear and Carmen de Lavallade said they would skip the White House reception, the Trumps announced they would sit out the celebrations altogether in order to avoid “any political distraction.” This year, at least three of the honorees, Cher in particular, have been vocal critics of Trump. So, a question hangs in the air: will the president and FLOTUS sit out the festivities once again? Or will they face the undoubtable wrath of Cher?
According to The New York Times, Melania Trumps spokeswoman, Stephanie Grisham, has said its too early to say whether the couple will be attending the December 2 event. Many of the honorees have decided they will go regardless.
McEntire, who hasnt publicized her stance on Trump, said shell attend the Honors no matter what. “I will be there with bells on,” she told the Times. “I have been looking forward to this so much.”
Shorter has also said he will attend. “I had no idea that they would reach that far away from the popular, well-known-artist box,” he said of his inclusion to the Times.
Glass, who has previously called Trump “an idiot,” told the Times that the presidents appearance doesnt matter much to him. “Whether hes there or not, who cares?” he said.
Representatives for Cher have not yet responded to Vanity Fairs request for comment about whether or not shell attend if Trump is present. The singer and actress did, however, release a statement about the honor, saying she was “very grateful to the Kennedy Center.” Her career has spanned the last several decades, thanks to Grammy-winning hit songs, charming variety shows, and a film career that has yielded an Oscar and three Golden Globes. Shes still keeping busy, starring in Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again and working on a Broadway musical based on her life. Shes also become a social-media icon thanks to her emoji-filled tweets and constant Trump slams.
Considering her stance, it certainly seems unlikely that Cher would attend an event headed by Trump. If she did, she would likely use the moment to say something colorful about the controversial president, wouldnt she?
Representatives for Miranda have also not yet responded to Vanity Fairs request for comment. The theater star did note on Twitter that he was “honored honored honored” by the Kennedy Centers recognition. However, like Cher, Miranda has been a vocal critic of Trump, once tweeting that the president was going “straight to hell” because of his botched response to Hurricane Maria and his obnoxious tweets about San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz. Miranda has since maintained a thoroughly anti-Trump stance.
Trump has also, for what its worth, maintained an anti-Hamilton stance since 2016. Shortly after that years election, then Vice President-Elect Mike Pence attended a showing of the political musical. He was booed by portions of the audience and, after the performance, cast member Brandon Victor Dixon acknowledged Pences presence and read a statement urging the V.P. to “uphold our American values and to work on behalf of all of us.” Trump was outraged by the reading, saying Pence had been “harassed” and should receive an apology. “Theres nothing to apologize for,” Dixon said in an interview shortly afterward.
Deborah F. Rutter, the president of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, told the Times shes “disappointed” that Trump might not like the inclusion of Hamiltons special award. “But in fact, this is not a rebuke,” she told the Times. “This is about celebrating a powerful work of art and I will always stand by the power of the arts.”
Get Vanity Fairs HWD NewsletterSign up for essential industry and award news from Hollywood.Full ScreenPhotos:In Pictures: Mamma Mia 2: Here We Go Again UK PremiereYohana DestaYohana Desta is a Hollywood writer for VanityFair.com.
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