Joe and Jill Biden attended the Kennedy Center Honors in Washington on Sunday night to celebrate the artistic achievements of five individuals and groups.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the president and first lady donned face masks for the first time in 2021 at the annual event in their current offices. (The Bidens’ predecessors, Donald and Melania Trump, did not attend the festivities that would normally be attended by the president.)
This year, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts honored actor and human rights activist George Clooney, singer Amy Grant, performer Gladys Knight, composer and conductor Tania Leon and Irish band U2 .
Honorees Bono and George Clooney greet each other next to The Edge and Tania Leon during the 45th Annual Kennedy Center Honors on December 4, 2022 in Washington.
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President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden attend the 45th Annual Kennedy Center Honors on December 4, 2022 in Washington.
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Kennedy Center 2022 Honorees Amy Grant, Gladys Knight, George Clooney, Tania Leon with U2 members Adam Clayton, Larry Mullen Jr., The Edge and Bo Promise at State Department, Washington, D.C., Dec. 3, 2022.
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“Growing up in a small town in Kentucky, I never imagined that one day I would be the person sitting on the Kennedy Center’s balcony of honor. It’s an honor to be mentioned along with these other incredible artists. This This is a truly exciting surprise for the entire Clooney family,” Clooney said in a statement on the Kennedy Center website.
President Joe Biden extends his arm to First Lady Jill Biden as he leaves the Kennedy Center honorees reception at the White House, Dec. 4, 2022.
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Kennedy Center honorees American actor George Clooney and U2’s Bono attend a Kennedy Center honoree reception in the East Room of the White House on December 4, 2022.
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President Joe Biden speaks at the Kennedy Center Honorees Reception on December 4, 2022 in Washington.
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Vice President Kamala Harris and No. 2 Gentleman Doug Emhoff will also attend Sunday night’s event.
Last week, the Bidens welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron for a state visit. The president also traveled to Boston to meet Prince William at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.
The center annually honors artists who have made an impact on American culture. Honorees celebrated in 2021 include “Saturday Night Live” host Lorne Michaels, singer-actress Bette Midler and singer Joni Mitchell.
The festivities often attract Washington politicians and Hollywood mainstays, drawing them to the Kennedy Center, located on the banks of the Potomac River in the nation’s capital.
President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden attend the 44th Annual Kennedy Center Honors, Dec. Washington, May 5, 2021.
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The recipients of this year’s Kennedy Center Honors were announced in July.
In addition to recognizing the recipients’ artistic talents and contributions, the ceremony also aims to raise funds for the Kennedy Center, which hosts a series of performances throughout the year.