Kanye West wasn't invited to perform at Trump inauguration because it's 'traditionally American'
Tom Barrack, chairman of Trump's Presidential Inauguration Committee, told CNN's Erin Burnett that the inauguration wouldn't be an appropriate venue for West, a hugely influential but polarizing figure in music.
"He's been great, he considers himself a friend of the president-elect, but it's not the venue," Barrack said. "It's going to be typically and traditionally American, and Kanye is a great guy, we just haven't asked him to perform. And we move on with our agenda."
The "traditionally American" reasoning is sure to rankle some, given that West is a uniquely American artist - born in Atlanta, raised in Chicago, and working in a genre that is native to the US.
Kanye West met with Trump after he was elected president, in December, in New York City, leading to a strange photo opportunity in the lobby of Trump Tower.
The Trump inaugural committee has reportedly run into trouble booking A-list talent to perform. Headliners for the inauguration include 3 Doors Down and the country artists Toby Keith and Lee Greenwood.