Kanye West Was Not Asked To Perform At "Typically And Traditionally American" Inauguration
"He considers himself a friend of the president-elect, but it's not the venue... It's going to be typically and traditionally American," inauguration planner Tom Barrack said.
Inauguration planner Tom Barrack has revealed Kanye West was not asked to perform at Trump's inauguration, which he described as a "typically and traditionally American" event.
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Barrack made the comments on CNN on Monday, adding that "Kanye is a great guy, we just haven't asked him to perform."
"He considers himself a friend of the president-elect, but it's not the venue," Barrack said. "The venue we have for entertainment is filled out, it's perfect. It's going to be typically and traditionally American."
The announcement follows a much publicized photo-op between the rapper and the president-elect at Trump Tower.
“We’ve been friends for a long time,” Trump told reporters on Dec. 13, while posing for pictures with West.
West did not respond to questions, saying, “I just want to take a picture right now." He later tweeted that he met with Trump to “discuss multicultural issues.”
People quickly called out Barrack for seeming to equate "typically and traditionally American" with, well, white:
Typically and traditionally American? Is that how we say 'white' these days? https://t.co/A21xaiOZN6
"Traditionally American" might be my new least favorite euphemism for "white." https://t.co/21dYjxcF0Z
Lmaooooo Racism still alive they just be concealing it. https://t.co/UzCvJu6wgd
And many are scratching their heads at the idea of Toby Keith and 3 Doors Down being more "traditionally American" than West.
Yeah. Like baseball, apple pie, and Three Doors Down. https://t.co/2E99gP3kjm
The idea that Toby Keith is traditionally American and Kanye isn't ... that's that pervasive racism that runs thru this country that ppl
Wonder what being "Traditionally American" could POSSIBLY mean with a lineup like Toby Keith and 3 Doors Down, @kanyewest
Especially due to hip-hop's origins in the US.
If there is anything more typically and traditionally American than hip-hop, I don't know what it is. https://t.co/wuwRJ0j1sh
When I think "traditionally American", I think Jazz. Blues. Hip-Hop. You know. Traditionally American BLACKNESS.
So hip hop, an art form created in America and dominated by American artists, is not "traditionally American." Okay… https://t.co/LsJZ3bPT40
"People of color aren't second-class, according to the incoming administration," said New York Times columnist Anand Giridharadas. "They're just not 'typically and traditionally American.'"
People of color aren't second-class, according to the incoming administration. They're just not "typically and trad… https://t.co/e57qjkUf4G
Trump's transition team and West did not immediately return request for comment.
CORRECTION
An earlier version of this post included the suggestion that Kanye West was not invited to perform at the inauguration due to it being a "typically and traditionally American,” event. Barrack did not say that.
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Julia Reinstein is a reporter for BuzzFeed News and is based in New York.
Contact Julia Reinstein at julia.reinstein@buzzfeed.com.
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