Patriotic Music Star Accepts White House Invite, Shuts Down Critics
An invitation to the White House is an incredible honor, despite sports teams and athletes skipping out on celebrating their victories with the president.
But nothing is going to stop one “American Idol” finalist from performing on the White House lawn on Independence Day this year.
“I think it’s kinda a really unfortunate thing people can’t separate politics and patriotism,” Jax told TMZ.
The New Jersey singer went on to explain that she comes from a strong military background. Her 20-year-old younger brother is a marine and her father was a first responder during the 9/11 terror attack, Fox News reported.
“It’s really important thing for me to take this opportunity and be happy and honor my family,” she said. “I don’t think it’s about me and I don’t think it’s about the president of the United States. I think it’s about honoring our troops and honoring the birthday of our country.”
She concluded, “I think it’s really important to keep that in mind and not to bring any politics into it.”
The July 4 concert on the south lawn of the White House will star singers Jax, Jonny Brenns and Sara Evans. It will air on the Hallmark Channel Wednesday as well.
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump will reportedly be in attendance.
“I’m delighted to welcome this new addition to the annual White House July 4th celebration,” Melania Trump said in a statement. “Americans will be able to tune in from their homes and be part of the festivities.”
While we’ve seen countless athletes decide to associate a White House visit with approving of Trump and his policies, it is refreshing to see a singer speak out against people who she knows will criticize her for accepting the invitation.
Most recently, the Washington Capitals won the first Stanley Cup in franchise history, but forward Devante Smith-Pelly told Canada’s National Post that he doesn’t plan to visit the White House as long as Donald Trump is president.
“The things that he spews are straight-up racist and sexist,” Smith-Pelly said. “Some of the things he’s said are pretty gross. I’m not too into politics, so I don’t know all his other views, but his rhetoric I definitely don’t agree with.”
Jax, on the other hand, knows this is “an opportunity I just can’t pass up.”
“If it was Barack Obama, if it were Hillary, if any president or anybody in the world was inviting me to perform on the lawn at the White House, it’s an opportunity I just can’t pass up,” Jax told TMZ.
“It’s such an honor and such an incredible place. Who in their lifetime gets to say that they get to sing at the White House?”
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