This Friday evening, President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will host Elton John for a concert on the White House South Lawn.
While the current first couple are admirers, Biden’s predecessor in the White House, Donald Trump, was reportedly ‘obsessed’ with John and considered him a personal friend. John declined to perform during the inauguration of Trump.
Now John will play for a chief executive in a concert entitled “A Night When Hope and History Rhyme” that will honor the singer’s life and career and highlight the healing power of music.
According to the White House, the audience will consist of educators, nurses, frontline workers, mental health activists, students, and LGBTQ+ advocates.
In November of 2017, both Biden and John appeared on the late-night talk show of Stephen Colbert. The vice president at the time was Biden.
On Friday evening, Elton John will perform a concert for Joe and Jill Biden on the South Lawn of the White House.
Joe Biden and Elton John had met prior to their November 2017 appearances on Stephen Colbert’s late-night talk program (above)
As the country recovers from the covid pandemic, the White House is increasing its event schedule and the amount of people it will host.
Last week, James Taylor performed at the White House in honor of the Democrats’ Inflation Reduction Act. The South Lawn was filled with thousands of visitors for the occasion.
However, Donald Trump has been infatuated with Elton John for decades.
Trump viewed the performer’s song as crucial to U.S. relations with North Korea. After the two men met in Singapore in 2018, he had an autographed CD of John’s song “Rocket Man” sent to Kim Jung Un.
He had given Kim the song as a moniker.
According to the New York Times, Trump attempted to have John perform during his 2017 inauguration.
The performer declined.
John reportedly wrote, “Thank you very much for the extremely gracious invitation to perform at your inauguration.” As a British national, I do not believe it is acceptable for me to perform at the inauguration of a U.S. president. Accept my sincere apologies.
John performed during Trump’s third wedding to Melania Knauss in 2005.
One of John’s most well-known songs, ‘Tiny Dancer,’ was a fixture at Trump campaign rallies, despite the singer’s reservations.
John told The Guardian in 2016: “I don’t want my music to have anything to do with an American electoral campaign.” “I am English. I’ve met Donald Trump, and he was extremely courteous to me. His political ideas are his own, and mine are vastly different; I could never be a Republican.
Trump, John, and Knauss were spotted together at the 12th Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Oscar Party; John sang at Trump and Knauss’ wedding.
And Trump boasted about the Elton John attendance records he had broken, comparing his campaign rallies to Elton John concerts conducted at the same site.
“Exciting news! Tonight, we surpassed Elton John’s attendance record at #SNHUArena in Manchester, New Hampshire! Trump sent a tweet in August of 2019.
And during his administration, during a rally in Montana, Trump stated, “I have smashed more Elton John records.” He appears to have several records.
In addition, I do not own a musical instrument. I have neither a guitar nor an organ. No organ. He owns an organ. And plenty others assisting. No, we have broken numerous records. We have nearly smashed every record.