Bill Maher says its so stupid for anti-Trump artists to not perform at Kennedy Center

Comedian and talk show host Bill Maher said it’s “stupid” for musicians and artists to cancel Kennedy Center performances over President Donald Trump’s attempt to put his name on the iconic building. Maher recently accepted the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor at the Kennedy Center, where Trump serves as the chairman. The HBO comedian sat down with ABC’s Jonathan Karl, who asked about artists who have refused to perform at the Kennedy Center over Trump.“That’s so stupid.First of all, you’re just giving him the victory.

He doesn’t own the Kennedy Center.He doesn’t own comedy,” Maher said in an extended version of the interview posted online.“Life goes on.

That’s the message I would send,” he continued.“I’ve always watched the Kennedy Center honors.

This is kind of like that but for one guy.It’s the same thing.

You’re up in the box, you know, it’s awesome.It’s great, and it’s rare, and it’s America, and he doesn’t own that, either.” The musical “Hamilton,” actress Issa Rae, banjo player Béla Fleck, the San Francisco Ballet, cellist Seth Parker Woods, violinist Hilary Hahn, composer Philip Glass, Renée Fleming, Vocal Arts DC, the Brentano Quartet, the Seattle Children’s Theatre, the Martha Graham Dance Company, the Washington National Opera and Sonia De Los Santos are among the shows, performers and artists that have bailed on the Kennedy Center because of Trump, according to NPR. Maher dismissed people letting Trump “ruin everything,” and made light of the Trump administration initially attempting to stop him from receiving the award.“I was like, ‘Game on,'” Maher said. “This was after our dinner, our famous dinner, you know, back to sniping and yelling,” he continued.

“But, better than no dialogue, in my view, so, when he did that, I was like, ‘Good move, dude.’” Maher and Trump have traded barbs over the last year despite meeting for dinner at the White House last year, w...