Tom Cruise Rejects Trump Invite to Receive Kennedy Center Award

Donald Trump’s plans for Tom Cruise to receive a Kennedy Center Honor didn’t go as expected: Cruise turned it down, The Washington Post reported, saying he declined “because of scheduling conflicts,” Cory Townsend wrote for HuffPost.

Reportedly citing "scheduling conflicts," Cruise chose not to accept this mission. (Photo: Mission: Impossible Facebook)

Trump recently announced the five honorees: disco legend Gloria Gaynor, country singer George Strait, the rock band Kiss, Rocky actor Sylvester Stallone, and actor-singer Michael Crawford.

According to AP, Trump said he had no interest in hosting the event but was doing so after being invited.

Gaynor’s nomination drew debate when The View co-host Ana Navarro urged her to reject the honor, citing Trump’s treatment of marginalized groups.

“Look, the woman is a goddess and deserves all the flowers that come her way,” Navarro wrote on Instagram.

“But I wish she wouldn’t accept an award from the hands of a man who has attacked the rights and history of women, people of color, and LGBTQ.” She added: “Trump is a stain on the prestige and significance of the KCH.”

Trump said he was “very involved” in selecting this year’s honorees.