President Biden Just Restored This Tradition That Donald Trump Canceled

The Kennedy Center Honors took place on Sunday, and President Joe Biden was part of it all. Donald Trump, on the other hand, skipped the show during his first three years as president. The event did not take place in his fourth year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

This John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts event — which is in its 44th year — recognizes those in the performing arts, including Lorne Michaels, Bette Midler, Joni Mitchell, Justino Diaz, and Berry Gordy, as reported by TMZ. In 2017, some of those who were honored did not want to attend the event's reception at the White House if Trump was going to be there. In response, the former president, along with his wife Melania, skipped out on the show and reception altogether (via AP News).

This decision did not upset everyone. Cher, in particular, said that if Trump had been there, she would have had to accept her award in a bathroom (via Reuters).

This year, though, President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden attended the Kennedy Center Honors, gaining a standing ovation. "It is quite nice, very nice, to see the presidential box once again being occupied," David Letterman stated, as reported by Reuters.

The Bidens (unlike the Trumps) also hosted a reception at the White House, with guests such as Vice President Kamala Harris, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and comedian Steve Martin in attendance (via AP News).

President Biden focused on each individual's contributions to the arts, further celebrating the honorees for lifetime artistic achievements: operatic bass-baritone Justino Díaz; Motown founder Berry Gordy; "Saturday Night Live" creator Lorne Michaels; singer, songwriter, and actress Bette Midler; and singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell (via kennedy-center.org). "Our nation is stronger, more dynamic, and more vibrant because of you," Biden said of the honorees (via AP News).

The Kennedy Center Honors will air on December 22 on CBS.