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Rockettes Dancers Win “Opt-Out” Clause for Inauguration Performance

HeadlineDec 27, 2016

Meanwhile, Donald Trump’s plans to attract celebrity performers to his inauguration suffered another blow over the weekend, after the company that manages the dance group The Rockettes said its members will be allowed to opt out of a command performance in Washington, D.C., on January 20. The decision by the Madison Square Garden Company came after the union that represents members of The Rockettes initially said full-time members of the troupe were contractually obligated to perform at Trump’s inauguration. That prompted a firestorm of protest from the public, as well as from some members of The Rockettes. One dancer, Phoebe Pearl, wrote on Instagram in a post that was later deleted, “The women I work with are intelligent and are full of love and the decision of performing for a man that stands for everything we’re against is appalling. I am speaking for just myself but please know that after we found out this news, we have been performing with tears in our eyes and heavy hearts. We will not be forced! #notmypresident.” Donald Trump has struggled to find star performers to attend his inauguration. According to journalist Itay Hod of TheWrap, Trump’s team offered U.S. ambassadorships to at least two talent bookers if they could deliver marquee talent to the inaugural. We’ll have more on this story later in the broadcast.

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