In a break with tradition, President Donald Trump and the first lady have decided not to participate in events honouring recipients of this year's Kennedy Center arts awards to "allow the honourees to celebrate without any political distraction," the White House announced Saturday. Past presidents and first ladies have hosted a reception for honourees at the White House before the Kennedy Center gala and sat with them at the televised event. But Trump has long had a contentious relationship with the arts world and some of the Kennedy Center honourees already had said they would not attend the White House reception in December. This combination photo shows, from left, musicians LL Cool J, Gloria Estefan, Lionel Richie, TV producer Norman Lear and dancer Carmen de Lavallade who were named as 2017 Kennedy Center honourees. The White House said Trump and first lady Melania Trump "extend their sincerest congratulations and well wishes to all of this year's award recipients for their many accomplishments."

Source: CBC News August 19, 2017 14:03 UTC