The 10 A-List Artists Who Refused To Perform At Trump’s Inauguration Were Just Revealed
President-elect Donald Trump’s braggart nature and thin skin make it a physical impossibility for him to accept being told no. This is evidenced by his outlandish admittance that he sexually assaults women by grabbing them “by the pus*y.” Trump’s behavior is so revolting that he has had a hilariously embarrassing odyssey in attempting to find any top-tier musical talent to perform at his inauguration on January 20th. Below are some of those who have stood in defiance of Trump and refused to be in his service.
The pianist wizard Sir Elton John refused to perform for Trump. While John says his refusal was not personal, that is likely just a deflection as John is loudly and openly homosexual. The Republican party surely wouldn’t want a gay man infecting their inauguration. John said:
I don’t really want my music to be involved in anything to do with an American election campaign. I’m British. I’ve met Donald Trump, he was very nice to me, it’s nothing personal, his political views are his own, mine are very different, I’m not a Republican in a million years. Why not ask Ted fucking Nugent? Or one of those fucking country stars? They’ll do it for you.
Opera phenom Andrea Bocelli, Trump’s own personal friend, was slated to perform at the inauguration until an Internet backlash reminded him why that would be a poor career move. A source close to Bocelli said there was “no way he’d take the gig… he was ‘getting too much heat.”
Speaking of country singers Garth Brooks also turned down the opportunity to perform after he hinted he would be open to the idea. Speaking to trashy gossip rag TMZ Brooks said, “It’s always about serving. It’s what you do.” That idea was quickly dashed and according to a source close to Brooks he is no longer interested. No elaboration was offered.
Celine Dion was rumored to be at Trump’s disposal, likely because Trump’s buddy and fellow billionaire Steve Wynn is Dion’s employer. However, Dion’s Las Vegas concert residency shows her performing on the same day as the inauguration. There are no quotes attributed to Dion publicly refusing to perform for Trump, but her schedule is evidence enough.
Offering further humiliation Justin Timberlake said no to Trump. Timberlake’s refusal was particularly amusing because of Trump’s senior adviser Kellyanne Conway. She made a desperate plea for Timberlake to contact her when she begged, “Call me!” on national television.
Not to be dissuaded by his racial and hateful rhetoric impeding his ability to book talent Trump’s staff was offering ambassadorships to talent executives. What would be the price of this honor? The executives were tasked with persuading Katy Perry, Bruno Mars, or Aretha Franklin to perform for Trump. The Trump team’s gambit blew up in their faces after the news of their shady deal became public and all of the artists they sought passed on the opportunity. Who could blame them?
KISS frontman Gene Simmons, noted Conservative and friend of Trump who once appeared on The Celebrity Apprentice, loudly lamented about talent who refused to perform based on political reasons. Simmons said:
I think celebrities should basically shut their pie hole and do what they do best: act, sing, tap dance, juggle balls, and do all that kind of stuff. And then do what an informed citizen does: draw the curtain, vote your conscience, go in there and vote.
This should have meant KISS was a lock to perform for Trump, no? Actually, no. Simmons was spotted outside of a restaurant with his wife and daughter, and when a reporter asked Simmons if he would perform they women responded with a resounding “NOOOOO!” Simmons said that KISS would be performing in Europe. His wife coyly snuck in, “That isn’t to say they didn’t ask.”
Watch that hilarity below:
Rounding out the notable declines is legendary producer and pianist David Foster. He may not be as recognizable as some of the others, but Foster is musical royalty with dozens of #1 hits under his belt. He said in a statement, “I was invited to participate and I politely declined. I have no idea where this story came from.”
In reality, the only talent Trump has been able to lock down to perform is 16-year-old America’s Got Talent star Jackie Evancho. She will be singing The Star Spangled Banner. Despite public outcry against Evancho, she has seen her only record release rack up some serious sales since her performance was confirmed. One hopes Trump can keep his hands to himself when Evancho performs, although he does have a history of making sexual comments about history. Trump once said of a 10-year-old girl, “I am going to be dating her in 10 years. Can you believe it?” Actually, we can.
