washington u.s. president donald trump first lady melania trump attend kennedy center honor december white house announce saturday several honorees say would boycott white house reception show kennedy center also say statement white house reception long take place white house say president first lady would take part kennedy center honor allow honorees celebrate without political distraction announcement come television producer norman lear singer lionel richie dancer carmen de lavallade say would attend white house reception set take place prior dec. annual gala event honorees singer gloria estefan rapper cool j. award present year december recognize honorees lifetime contributions arts five honorees expect attend dec. dinner award ceremony state department kennedy center chairman david rubenstein president deborah rutter statement kennedy center respect decision make trump say choose participate year honor activities administration graciously signal respect kennedy center ensure honor gala remain deservingly special moment honorees rubenstein rutter say de lavallade african-american actress dancer choreographer say statement website honor receive award would attend show say would go white house light socially divisive morally caustic narrative exist leadership choose engage in comment come president blame side violence erupt last week counter-demonstrators neo-nazis ku klux klan members white nationalists hold unite right rally charlottesville va. trump comment prompt slew resignations presidential councils include 17 members president committee arts humanities new york time article aug. lear quote say would forgo white house reception presidency choose neglect totally arts humanities deliberately defund rest pleasantly me kennedy center honor second annual washington event trump decide attend president call u.s. news media enemies american people also withdraw annual white house correspondents dinner trump first lady attend kennedy center honor white house