Garth Brooks Will Not Perform at Trump Inauguration
The country star sparked speculation that he would sing for president-elect in an interview with TMZ last week
Itay Hod | December 13, 2016 @ 6:24 PM
Last Updated: December 13, 2016 @ 6:37 PM
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Garth Brooks, who recently left the door open to the possibility of an inaugural performance for Donald Trump, says he will sit this one out, a person with knowledge of the situation told TheWrap.
The insider would not elaborate on why Brooks declined to perform.
As TheWrap first reported, the county singer was perhaps Trump’s only hope for a crossover performer at his inauguration, with many A-list stars refusing to perform at the presidential inauguration ceremonies in late January.
Earlier this month, Brooks told TMZ that he would be open to performing, if asked.
“It’s always about serving. It’s what you do,” Brooks told TMZ.
Brooks’ publicist declined to comment.
On Tuesday, Trump met with Kanye West, setting off a frenzied speculation about whether the rapper would perform at one of the inaugural events. However, West declined to comment when asked about it by reporters who were camped out at Manhattan’s Trump Tower, where West met Trump.
He later tweeted that the meeting was focused on “multicultural issues,” including bullying, education and violence in Chicago.
This isn’t the first time a big-name star has declined to perform at Trump’s inaugural balls.
Last month, The New York Times reported that a representative for Elton John, who supported Hillary Clinton, issued a stern statement denying his client had agreed to perform at the inauguration after a member of Trump’s transition team said the “Rocket Man” singer would take the stage.
“Incorrect. He will NOT be performing,” the publicist wrote, using all-caps for good measure.
Donald Trump’s inaugural committee is scrambling to lock in A-list Hollywood performers for the parties celebrating him — and having a rough time booking big names.
Two Hollywood insiders told TheWrap that Trump’s inaugural committee members have contacted them in recent days offering cash or even a government appointment if they could deliver marquee names.
“They are willing to pay anything,” one of the insiders told TheWrap.
The insider said the Trump negotiator also offered to pay him for delivering top talent, saying, “Name your price.”
“No one with any official position at, or official relationship with, the Presidential Inaugural Committee, is engaging in the conduct described,” Boris Epshteyn, spokesman for Trump’s Presidential Inaugural Committee, said. “We are focused on organizing an exciting and uniting celebration of freedom and democracy while following all rules, regulations and appropriate standards of conduct.”
Another Hollywood insider, who also asked not to be named, told TheWrap that the Inaugural Committee was in talks with Kid Rock, Ted Nugent and Lee Greenwood.
But, according to the insider, the inauguration team is hoping for “artists like Justin Timberlake and Bruno Mars,” adding: “They’re calling managers, agents, everyone in town to see who they can get, and it’s been problematic.”
37 Hollywood Stars for Donald Trump in 2020 (Photos)
With time running out for the President to gain Joe Biden in the polls, here are 34 of Trump's celebrity fans rooting for the President to win a second term.
"I think Trump, no matter what anybody thinks of him, is doing a good job at trying to get these states — and all of the American people — what they need," Dennis Quaid told the Daily Beast in April 2020.
Comedian Roseanne Barr tweeted a picture of herself wearing a "Trump 2020" baseball cap with the caption, "2020 vision."
Former "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" Kristy Swanson in March tweeted, "An honor to meet you Mr. President."
Former NFL great Hershel Walker spoke at the RNC in August and tweeted, "TRUMP PENCE 2020"
"Thank you for being the best President ever," tweeted Diamond and Silk.
Mariano Rivera, the Former Yankee pitcher who was awarded the Medal of Freedom from the President in 2019 said, "He's doing the best for the United States."
"Phenomenal President. Quite possibly the USA," tweeted UFC fighter Conor McGregor back in January. "Most certainly one of them anyway, as he sits atop the shoulders of many amazing giants that came before him."
"We're on the very front end of this right now, and I feel comfortable and confident that because of strong leadership," said Elisabeth Hasselbeck on "The View" in March supporting the President's coronavirus response.
Former "Entertainment Tonight" anchor Mary Hart hosted the President's controversial July 4th celebration at Mt. Rushmore in South Dakota back in July.
"He is literally going to go down in history as one of our greatest Presidents," said "Pawn Stars" Rick Harrison at the Conservative Political Action Conference in February.
NASCAR driver Corey LaJoie sported a "Trump 2020" on his car at NASCAR’s Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, back in July.
UFC fighter Colby Covington recently supported the President on his Instagram saying, "Had a tremendous time yesterday with @erictrump & @carlos_e_gavidia at the MAGA Boat Parade in Miami!"
“All I gotta say is Trump 2020, bitch. Fuck I look like paying an extra 33 in taxes for Biden," rapper Lil Pump said on his Instagram story in October 2020.
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Golf legend Jack Nicklaus in a statement on his Twitter "strongly recommend(s) you consider Donald J. Trump for another four years. I certainly have and have already cast my vote for him!"
Lil Wayne shocked fans on Oct. 29 when he tweeted a photo of himself with President Trump. He captioned the pic by saying that "besides what he’s done so far with criminal reform, the platinum plan is going to give the community real ownership."
NFL Legend Brett Favre tweeted, "In this election, we have freedom of choice, which all should respect. For me & these principles, my Vote is for @RealDonaldTrump."
With the election underway, here are the stars who will be voting for President Donald Trump’s second term in 2020
With time running out for the President to gain Joe Biden in the polls, here are 34 of Trump's celebrity fans rooting for the President to win a second term.