Apparently, President-Elect Donald Trump won the 2016 presidential election because of the demand of the people; therefore, he wants his inauguration to be for the people. Just not the tax-paying people of Hollywood, New York, or Washington D.C. 
According to a tweet by the President-Elect, “‘a’ list celebrities are all wanting tixs to the inauguration.” This is a hilarious inaccuracy as most of Hollywood despises him (see 2017 Golden Globe Awards) and many have publicly declined offers to perform. 
In November, a spokeswoman for Elton John released a definitive “NOT performing” statement after a member of the transition team claimed John would perform at the Jan. 20 inauguration. Both Jennifer Holliday and Andrea Bocelli backed out of performing after receiving back-lash from fans. Tony-winner Holliday even released an apology to her LGBTQ                                                              fan base. 
Countless others have released similar statements after supposedly being asked to perform including Moby, Ice-T, George Lopez, The Beach Boys and The Dixie Chicks. I find it incredibly hard to believe that the inauguration committee would ask arguably the most outspoken females in music to perform for the President-Elect. 
“No one is prepared to normalize what is going on in the country right now,” Dixie Chicks manager Simon Renshaw told TheWrap. “If anyone does do it, I hope that the check that they get is in the nine figures. Because it’s probably the last check they’re ever going to get.” 
President Barack Obama’s inauguration performers included Beyoncé, Aretha Franklin, James Taylor, Jennifer Hudson, Jon Bon Jovi, John Legend, Josh Groban and countless others. People who backed him on the campaign trail were happy to support his inauguration. The same can be said for former President George Bush who had Destiny’s Child at his 2001 inauguration. Being invited to these celebrations was an honor any A-lister would be proud to receive; however, these were peaceful inaugurations held after positive campaigns. Obama instilled hope in the American people and united us under a banner of change, while Trump united 46.1 percent of the voting populous through hate speech and bigotry. 
Even people who supported Trump on the campaign trail, like Ted Nugent and Kid Rock, are not reported to continue their endorsements and perform for either his inauguration or the “Make America Great Again! Welcome Celebration” concert on Jan. 19. They stand to lose a number of fans and ticket sales if they support Trump now.
You’d think this lack of talented performers this inauguration would cost less than those in years past, but you’d be wrong. Obama’s first and second inaugurations each cost around  $170 million while this year is set to cost nearly $200 million. Only $63 to $70 million will come from private donors, according to Slate, and taxpayers will cover the rest of the cost. This is consistent with the amount taxpayers have previously had to pay; however, taxpayers in New York City are already upset with the amount they will be forced to pay to support the President-Elect’s wish to live, at least part-time, in his New York penthouse. 
It might be nasty of me to bask in the glow of Hollywood’s resounding, “No,” but it’s going to be a long four years and we’ve got to take our wins when we can get them. 
Trump’s lack of celebrity entertainment is well-deserved after a campaign full of hateful remarks. From the mocking of a disabled reporter to the infamous tape of him bragging about sexually assaulting women, Trump has alienated almost every possible demographic. It is right for Hollywood A-listers to refuse to let their fame and fortune validate Trump’s hateful rhetoric. 
The bumpy ride for those who have confirmed performances is never ending. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir lost one member who resigned in protest and there is a petition, signed by thousands of members of the Mormon Church, urging the choir not to perform. Jackie Evancho, of America’s Got Talent fame, received backlash because her sister is transgender and Vice President-Elect Pence has long supported anti-LGBTQ legislation. After the Rockettes confirmed their involvement, a slew of protests from their dancers occurred, resulting in a leaked tape of a meeting with their management company MSG   Entertainment.
In the video, James Dolan, a representative for MSG, is asked if the company is asking the dancers to be “tolerant of intolerance,” to which Mr. Dolan replies, “Yeah, in a way, I guess we are doing that. What other choices do we have?”
It is depressing for me to think about the Rockettes in their teeny outfits performing for the man who once bragged about being able to do whatever he wanted to women.   
Abbie Shull is a 23-year-old mass communication junior from St. Louis, Missouri.