President Trump and Melania Trump to Skip Kennedy Center Honors for Second Year in a Row

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump attend ceremonies at the Arc de Triomphe Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018 in Paris. Over 60 heads of state and government were taking part in a solemn ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the mute and powerful symbol of sacrifice to the millions who died from 1914-18. (AP Photo/Francois Mori, Pool)

President Donald Trump is skipping the Kennedy Center Honors, again.

For the second year in a row, Trump and his wife Melania will not attend the event meant to honor contributions to American culture on Dec. 2, Stephanie Grisham, the first lady’s spokeswoman said Tuesday.

Grisham confirmed to USA TODAY that the Trumps turned down the invitation due to scheduling conflicts. Trump is scheduled to travel to Argentina at the end of the month to participate in the G20 summit.

Several of this year’s honorees, including vocal Trump critics Lin-Manuel Miranda and Cher, might not mind the president’s absence. In fact, Cher said she wished to receive the prestigious honor “so badly” during the Obama administration, and told the Associated Press that she would be “thrilled” if Trump didn’t attend.

Other honorees include country music star Reba McEntire, composer Phillip Glass and jazz legend Wayne Shorter.

Manuel will receive a special “trailblazer” honor for the musical sensation “Hamilton,” along with director Thomas Kail, choreographer Andy Blankenbuehler and music director Alex Lacamoire. They will be recognized for their “groundbreaking work” on the hip-hop musical about the country’s founding fathers, a first in the Kennedy Center’s 41-year history.

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SOURCE: USA Today, Cydney Henderson