President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump will not attend the annual Kennedy Center honors — a traditional showcase of the nation's arts — over concerns of a political distraction, the White House said Saturday. The Kennedy Center said Saturday it was "grateful" for the decision and said all honorees will now be attending the awards ceremony. "The Kennedy Center respects the decision made today by the office of the President of the United States," said Chairman David M. Rubenstein and President Deborah F. Rutter in a statement. That pre-gala event will no longer take place, the Kennedy Center said, all honorees will attend the December ceremony as planned. This post was updated with response from the Kennedy Center.

Source: Los Angeles Times August 19, 2017 14:35 UTC