This is what it's like to associate with Donald Trump. One day you're shoulder-to-shoulder, the next day you're boxed out. Late last year, following his public breakdown, Kanye West made one of his first post-hospital appearances at Trump Tower in New York City. At the time, Trump said the two talked about "life," while Kanye clarified on Twitter that they discussed "multicultural issues." Many speculated that Kanye was either interviewing for one of Trump's cabinet positions (for which he's overqualified compared to some other nominees) or offering to perform at the inauguration (for which he's also vastly overqualified compared to the current lineup).
It turns out, in lieu of hiring a successful businessman and artist who has won 21 Grammy awards and sold millions of albums around the world, Trump chose 3 Doors Down. So why didn't Trump's camp ask Kanye to perform? As Tom Barrack, the chairman of the Presidential Inauguration Committee told CNN:
We haven't asked him. I mean, he's been great. He considers himself a friend of the president-elect, but it's not the venue. The venue we have for entertainment is filled out, it's perfect. It's going to be typically and traditionally American. Kanye's a great guy, we just haven't asked him to perform, and we move on with our agenda.
"Traditionally American." Interesting.
Certainly Kanye is more American than Irish riverdancer Michael Flatley. Certainly Kanye is more American than English singer Elton John, Italian singer Andera Bocelli, and Canadian singer Céline Dion—all of whom turned down the invitation to perform. It would seem here that Barrack's meaning of "traditionally American" has nothing to do with people born in America who perform uniquely American music. You can decide for yourself what "traditionally American" means in this context.
But at least Toby Keith is better than Beyonce, right?
