It’s almost time everyone. The time where one president is swapped out with a new one. This switch is usually a fairly swift and mostly smooth process, but this year is different. President Barack Obama will be leaving office, much to the dismay of millions of people across the country. Then comes President-Elect Donald Trump. Trump’s presidential campaign was a very rocky one, with much opposition from many people. His election caused an uproar of disbelief and disgust from many. This might be the reason why he is having trouble finding big stars to perform at his inauguration.

The inauguration of a president is usually filled with acts from famous celebrities. Big names like Beyoncé and Yo-Yo Ma performed for President Obama. Trump’s ceremony is on January 20^th, 2017 and the only acts that are booked are: the marching band from Talladega College (a historically black college), the Rockettes, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, and Jackie Evancho (a former “America’s Got Talent” contestant). Famous A-list celebrities such as, Celine Dion, George Lopez, KISS and Andrea Bocelli have declined offers to perform at the Inauguration. “No one wants to perform because Trump isn’t the best person to be the President of the United States,” freshman Nyla Jeanpiere says.

Donald Trump may not have many acts to perform, but he and his team say that they are fine with that. According to CNN, Boris Epshteyn, director of communications for the Inaugural Committee, dismissed the absence of major musicians in an interview on CNN in December. “This is not Woodstock,” Epshteyn said. “It’s not summer jam. It’s not a concert.” Donald Trump himself has tweeted in response to the lack of entertainment, “The so-called “A” list celebrities are all wanting tix to the inauguration, but look what they did for Hillary, NOTHING. I want the PEOPLE!”

So why did so many celebrities publicly decline offers to perform and some just outright say they wouldn’t perform for Donald Trump? “No one wants to perform because they don’t agree with Donald Trump and performing would somehow ruin their reputation,” sophomore Francesca Bruce explains. Many people are perplexed as to how he was elected. Most have lost respect for him while others never had any to start with. “I think he does need to earn his respect since he has been controversial during his campaigning, which caused people to lose respect for him. Just because he’s going to be president doesn’t automatically mean he’s going to get everyone’s respect,” Bruce says. Jeanpiere explains, “He demands respect from the people, but he hasn’t done anything to really earn it.”

January 20^th is just around the corner. The new President of the United States will be sworn into office and a new era of American politics will be ushered in.