Written by CNN Staff
In an historic reprise, former Vice President Joe Biden will attend the Kennedy Center Honors, CNN has learned.
Kennedy Center Chairman David M. Rubenstein and Ambassador Kennedy sent a letter of congratulations to Biden on Wednesday, calling his decision to attend the event “a remarkable recognition of our American icon.”
“America is fortunate to have a man of Joe Biden’s experience, compassion and honor representing our country as we approach our 50th anniversary of our founding,” they wrote.
Last year’s honors program was canceled due to President Donald Trump’s absence. He is not scheduled to attend this year’s, either.
Celebrities will gather on December 3 to pay tribute to the five performers: actor and “Spin City” star Michael Douglas, singers Diana Ross and Lionel Richie, dancer and choreographer Carmen de Lavallade and comedian and actor Harry Belafonte.
Biden, who served as vice president under Barack Obama, attended the 2009 awards, but the Kennedy Center cancelled it the following year because of Trump’s inauguration celebrations. Trump, who won a pledge to cut arts funding, snubbed the Kennedy Center before and after inauguration and has been no friend to the arts.