No; they WANT to do it!
Posted on 12/23/2016 7:44:21 PM PST by drewh
The Celebrity Apprentice president’s latest PR problem is celebrities. For weeks, reports have indicated that his inauguration team has had trouble booking any star performers: “They are willing to pay anything,” one talent representative reportedly told TheWrap after being approached by Trump’s people. The president-elect’s camp have denied that’s the case, but Elton John, Celine Dion, and KISS are among those who’ve publicly rejected rumors that they’d play the swearing-in celebrations; right now, the confirmed lineup of recognizable performers is the 16-year-old America’s Got Talent contestant Jackie Evancho, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, and the Rockettes.
Last night, Trump seemed to confirm Hollywood and he weren’t making nice, tweeting, “The so-called ‘A’ list celebrities are all wanting tixs to the inauguration, but look what they did for Hillary, NOTHING. I want the PEOPLE!” It was a remark that flipped the publicized dynamic (Trump’s team approaching A-listers got swiveled the other way around) for a mix of self-congratulation and insults—a familiar maneuver by now. But the tweet also, tellingly, attempted to draw a dividing line between “the PEOPLE” and the entertainment world, making for his latest divide-and-conquer attempt against American popular culture.
“The PEOPLE” that Trump speaks of are, of course, also the reason any given famous person is famous; celebrities reflect their culture. And when it comes to widely beloved musicians of the sort that typically headlines an inaugural event, career success is especially a sign of public affection. Yet the celebrity class by and large has presented obstacles for Trump—and Trump seems to be trying to weaken its sway over “the people,” as he has tried to do for the media, as he has tried to do for his political opponents.
One way to go about the task is by simple debasement. When Trump says that Hamilton is overrated, or that SNL is unwatchable, or that Lena Dunham has “no mojo,” he’s technically not talking politics—he’s making a direct attack on the things that make any of these entities worth paying attention to, their entertainment value. He’s doing something similar in conjuring the image of celebrities begging for inaugural tickets and in mocking their inability to get Hillary Clinton elected. The access, the glamour, the power, the dignity associated with celebrities? All hoaxes, he says.
He’s also attempting to elide the notion of entertainment as a mirror to America by suggesting that in fact popular culture is alienated from the populace. It’s an easy and old argument. Celebrities do live different lives from average Americans. And the fact that Hollywood aligned with the losing presidential candidate, on its face, does not speak for it being in-touch. But in this arena as in others, the nagging problem with his claim to a mandate remains: It’s difficult to say “the People” are wholly on his side when entertainers did in fact speak for a majority of voters, to the tune of 3 million ballots.
He’s also trying to escalate the culture wars, attacking a group of influencers who, it’s clear, doesn’t hold as much sway in the places that elected him—places where the term “Hollyweird” is thrown around and where boycotting Beyonce isn’t a joke. But the vexing fact for him is that so far, most Middle America megastars have not mobilized for Trump. Where is, say, the country-music establishment on the inauguration lineups? Though Big & Rich will take the stage in D.C. at a Recording Industry Association of America fundraiser on Jan. 20—member John Rich won a season of Celebrity Apprentice—the genre’s top tier so far has been mostly silent, with Garth Brooks apparently declining to play. The reason for that might be that such musicians are in fact politically separated from many of their listeners, or it may simply be a calculation to avoid controversy.
Because even the most seemingly apolitical performers are running into controversy by showing up for Trump, more than they would for most any previous president-elect. On Thursday, Madison Square Garden Company chairman James Dolan announced that The Rockettes—a New York City fixture with wide appeal, steeped in mid-century nostalgia and catering to visitors from outside the city—would perform for Trump. Immediately, individual dancers began to dissent. “The women I work with are intelligent and are full of love and the decision of performing for a man that stands for everything we’re against is appalling,” one wrote on Instagram.
An email from the Rockettes’ union to the performers admonished that they are required to do the job: “You are all employees, and as a company, Mr. Dolan obviously wants the Rockettes to be represented at our country’s Presidential inauguration, as they were in 2001 & 2005.” The email added, “The ranting of the public is just that, ranting.” On Facebook, the writer-performer Amanda Duarte shot back, “It’s perfect, actually. What could be more fitting for this inauguration than forcing a group of women to do something with their bodies against their will?”*
The conflict shines a different light on Trump’s rhetoric pitting entertainers vs. “the PEOPLE.” In the Rockettes’ case, a famous business interest has decided to align itself with the president-elect, while the rank and file—the people—squirm.
Elton John and Celine Dion are foreigners, why would be want foreign >>> don’t know but elton played at rush’s wedding.
Let the record show that Hollywood hates America.
Mr. John got $1,000,000.
I think you are right about that.
A good friend of mine is (or was) a rabid Springsteen fan. She went to all his local concerts for four decades. She won tickets and a meeting with him a few years ago. She was his biggest fan (and certainly his biggest fan that I knew of). A couple of months ago, right before the election, she told me he lost his shine with her because she just couldn’t get past his Trump hatred. She told me she couldn’t even enjoy his music anymore and she was over him. I never thought I’d see the day she’d care about politics and especially anything political that had to do with Springsteen.
I think many people are waking up to the whole celebrity thing. They’ve pushed so much that people are starting to see it and push back.
It’s about time. There basically just a bunch of spoiled children.
"He’s also trying to escalate the culture wars, attacking a group of influencers who, it’s clear, doesn’t [sic] hold as much sway in the places that elected him—places where the term “Hollyweird” is thrown around and where boycotting Beyonce isn’t a joke."
The Atlantic can't hire a simple editor...but they have enough simpletons to fill a skinny magazine...
That’s just what I suggested as well, although I failed to think of Right Side Broadcasting. I thought in terms of have people submit tapes, post them up, and let people vote on who they want. The people elected Trump, not the music industry/Hollywood elite. Let the people perform. The problem is, I don’t know if there is enough time to do this and vet the people (as I’m sure Secret Service would have to).
There has to be independent artists and bands out there who haven’t gotten their big break or who don’t fit in the Hollywood scene (maybe because they are conservative) who would perform. I would say that would be true from the country music field in particular.
Kanye likes Trump, though. Maybe he would perform.
Just to troll the left he ought to have a Russian singer or band.
I wonder if Ted Nugent will be there?
He should publish their names.
Skip the entertainment program entirely. Get sworn in and go right to work. Make it a complete contrast to Obama, who reigned as Celebrity in Chief.
This has nothing in particular to do with Trump. I'm ordinarily fond of traditional rituals and events, but I've felt for some years that the presidency is becoming Gormenghast. It would be a breath of fresh air for a new president to step in, and simply trim away much of the excess. The Inaugural vulgarities have become as bad as Superbowl halftime shows. Start there.
He will have four world bands/orchestras at his command on inauguration day, Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps. Use them and exclude all others.
It's a hellish religion; but they make heavenly music!
No; they WANT to do it!
” Trump Makes War on Celebrities “........
Why do people continue to fall all over or praise the so-called, self important “celebrities”? They provide NOTHING (of importance) to our gross national product. Personally I would rather praise and recognize a skilled machinist, plumber, police or fireman, doctor, nurse, scientist, teacher etc. instead of listening to those who are anti everything good. Certainly there are celebrity types who do not fall in the category of those who believe they are truly important and “God’s gift to society.
Merry Christmas to all.
They probably think that they can tread water and/or hold their breath for four years.
Psst...
It just might be EIGHT!
1 Corinthians 6:9-11
9. Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived:
Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders
10. nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
But there IS hope!!!
11. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
If you could NOT change, you would be in most pitiful shape...
Wrong title...
Garth not playing...Trump has a unique way of getting people to show their true colors. Will, Krauthammer, Levin, (and a list of 100 more) will be looked at and “listened to differently” or “tuned out” forever. Careers and image, changed forever, and many tarnished never to be the same again. The Dixie Chicks Syndrome will affect all of them. “DCS” a new ailment. Watch for it coming to your favorite celebrity. The symptoms are obvious. (Garth has it).
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