44th Kennedy Center Honors - White House Reception

President Joe Biden speaks at the reception honoring the recipients of the 44th Kennedy Center Honors in the East Room of the White House on December 5th, 2021.
Watch the 44th annual Kennedy Center Honors on Wednesday, December 22 at 9 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. CT on CBS and stream on Paramount+.
#KCHonors
Subscribe to The Kennedy Center! bit.ly/2gNFrtb

[@dodielovett]

It is wonderful to have a thoughtful and literate President. Congratulations to all the honorees

[@bernlin2000]

The only thought I can ascertain from Biden here is "when do I get my pudding and nap time?". Dude's brain is addled and worn out.

[@janetflier6192]

@@bernlin2000 AMEN!!!

[@rolandreyna215]

Trump has fake hair. Maybe even a fake birth certificate because he can afford to buy one.His Daddy got him everything. If you have seen the movie Megido, then you will notice the character resembles Trump.

[@janetflier6192]

@@rolandreyna215 What does Trump’s HAIR have to do with anything???

[@MWayne-zz1cr]

Yes, I still remember the Reagan presidency fondly as well. Too bad they've all sucked since then, especially Joe and his former boss #44.

[@janicechildress2952]

Motown was the soul of America, Detroiters are fortunate enough to walk to that beat. B. Gordy made us hip and cool. Ain't No Mountain High Enough! Live Forevermore 🎹

[@RaymondHng]

He's 92 years old!

[@chrissieb3350]

Absolutely! I’m from Mi too and nothing like celebrating Motown

[@claires1177]

What a marvelous thing to gave this tradition back in the White House and an American President acknowledging the Arts!!!

[@vickywootton1294]

If only it was the White House. Lol

[@lgpsan]

@@vickywootton1294 Read the title again and see where this reception was held…

[@danberg380]

Articulate compassionate human being in the White House

[@RaymondHng]

Trump had an appreciation for the culinary arts by serving McDonald's _twice_ to the champion Clemson University football team and to the champion North Dakota State Bison football team.

[@gustavodeugarte9460]

@@danberg380 After 4 years of "name calling" and "me,me,me"

[@theultimate4159]

That's a great speech. Very humble and never talk about him. Unlike the former guy who always about him. The speech writer is superb. Bravo.

[@ruru6881]

Lol 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@calomega]

Finally a real leader who informs and comforts us in hard times. A wonderful tribute to some of our national treasures.

[@lisadunlop6921]

Fake leader 😝

[@ritadirksing6948]

We are so blessed to have such a kind and loving President. I thank God every day for him. Congrats to the Kennedy center honorees!

[@rockchick7476]

It’s SO wonderful to see the Whitehouse restoring good values, traditions and acknowledging the Arts. Will be nice to see a clip of the Whitehouse Dinner for Journalists again. 👌

[@Lisa-vk2jw]

Joni and Lorne, two great Canadians💕♥️

[@RaphaelMArias]

I love him. I love him. Thank you God for this most beautiful President. We are blessed. Amen 💕🦋

[@janistotham-davies4300]

What a difference a decent man in the White can make.🎄❤️🎄

[@fredkrissman6527]

IMO, Joni Mitchell is the greatest popular singer/songwriter/musician of the last 60+ yrs, bar none (apologies to Robert Zimmerman). So I'm always glad to see society honor her enormous talents! Thanx Joni

[@Poetic_Justice1962]

Yes, Joni is an icon, a great one, but you've got to apologize to Paul McCartney, and Stevie Wonder, and The Carpenters, and ABBA, and some others, as well.

[@fredkrissman6527]

@@Poetic_Justice1962... Nope!

[@busstop5165]

@@Poetic_Justice1962 all very talented and deserving of the endless credit they get, but not one of them touches Joni’s genius. She’s on a whole other level

[@annode]

To whom ever wrote for Pres. Biden tonight, I felt disappointed for the lack of depth and detail not spoken for in Joni's honor. Considering her depth of poignant verse and her evolution of musical sophistication which makes up a lifetime of work. There just wasn't enough said about what makes her work so unique. Paul McCartney will go down in history as maybe the most prolific songwriter of our time, but considering Joni Mitchell, I would have to give that some serious thought.

[@fredkrissman6527]

The Biden admin is a great disappointment on many issues beyond culture, IMO,@@annode... I worry that things are going so poorly that the Repubs will retake the White House (along with the Congress), which is a lot more devastating to all of us than any diss toward Joni.

[@dar5108]

Our President is a fine man. Congratulations y'all.

[@melissapadgett9785]

It's wonderful to watch a President acknowledge, honor our Country's greatest treasures, truly recognize them & share how much we love them for all the joy they have brought to a grateful Nation & appreciate all the sacrifices they made to do just that.

[@danielminutilli5372]

Nice speech. This man clearly doesn't have dementia.

[@tinabirdshafer]

So wonderful to see these fine artists being honored!! JONI! BETTE!!

[@dancingfrogable]

Thank you for shining a light on the arts! This presidential family has class.

[@dxrated619]

Great to see a supporter of the arts back in the White House rather than a self-centred, arrogant wind bag .

[@bev6171]

This is so refreshing. The simple things in life during this Pandemic really miss the kindness.

[@nayrod4529]

I miss acknowledging good in people, instead of degrading them.

[@clementreid907]

Great job, Mr. President! I'm glad you love the arts!

[@grandrapladyakaamb2438]

the sun has come back and is shining again in America. We rise after the darkness, we rise.

[@martham2930]

This is so lovely to see again. Regardless of who the president is, or what party, I've always felt the acknowledgment of excellence in the arts through the Kennedy Center Honors is a wonderful celebration and acknowledgment from the White House on behalf of the American people.

[@FallenAngelBrass]

To be accurate, all presidents but ONE notable exception have embraced the Kennedy Center Honors.

[@gestionprojetglobal7454]

So genuine to recognize great hearts. Thank you President Biden.

[@danberg380]

@@FallenAngelBrass good old Donald🤪

[@lindsayheiden3598]

He is so eloquent! Finally, a breath of fresh air honoring the soul and face of America during these crazy times. Incredibly moving as he honored everyone! Joni, Bette, Barry Gordy, etc. this video is spectacular! Thank you for posting it before the TV show next Wednesday. Just to listen to POTUS speak with this admiration is so nice. His speech writers knocked it out of the park and he delivered! Even calling out Steve Martin who was in the small audience . Would have loved to be there😄. Feels like I was🐘

[@byzinski]

You’re a joke! Senile 😷🇨🇳Ol Joe a one-termer .. “Let’s go Brandon!”

[@ericsneary5430]

@@byzinski There's nothing funnier than seeing you ignorant President Biden haters with your panties in a wad

[@SuperC888]

It’s BERRY 🤦🏼‍♀️

[@SuperC888]

About time Joni was honored!

[@conniewolf7300]

Thanks for the head's up!!

[@AlleyandGrey]

I feel sorry for the recipients who recieved theirs from 2017-2020. The POTUS never showed up for them. Great speech...👏👏 Class act!

[@nbe1951]

I believe those honorees were relieved that they weren't subjected to the blowhard who unfortunately occupied 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue at that time.

[@RaymondHng]

@@nbe1951 2017 - Carmen de Lavallade, Gloria Estefan, LL Cool J, Norman Lear, and Lionel Richie 2018 - Cher, Philip Glass, Reba McEntire, Wayne Shorter, and the creators of Hamilton: An American Musical (Lin-Manuel Miranda, Thomas Kail, Alex Lacamoire, and Andy Blankenbuehler) 2019 - Earth, Wind & Fire (Philip Bailey, Verdine White, Ralph Johnson and Maurice White), Sally Field, Linda Ronstadt, Sesame Street (Lloyd Morrisett and Joan Ganz Cooney), and Michael Tilson Thomas 2020 - Debbie Allen, Joan Baez, Garth Brooks, Midori, and Dick Van Dyke

[@jaditelady173mary4]

@@nbe1951 they were. I know several refused to be honored if he was going to be there. For once his self centered Narcissitic self couldn't be bothered to show up to honor other....turned out to be a blessing for the honorees.

[@grandrapladyakaamb2438]

To appreciate the arts you must have a certain intellectual and empathetic nature for understanding and appreciation. The last office holder lacked grace, class and empathy, his soul is missing thus no appreciation for the arts. Yes, this is a wonderful and lifting experience that we America, can once again appreciate.

[@RaymondHng]

@@grandrapladyakaamb2438 The last office holder would have referred a violin as a fiddle and a clarinet as a kazoo. His only appreciation for the arts is the ostentatious display of marble and 24-carat gold in his New York apartment. When his White House staff asked the Guggenheim Museum to lend him a Van Gogh, they righteously offered a gold toilet instead. Fast food damages oil paintings.

[@bartoncarlin3245]

Lovely decent humane man our President. Biden.

[@luishumbertovega3900]

Oh my, as a Puerto Rican, so proud of our 1-derful bass/baritone Justino Díaz !!! 🇵🇷

[@saratorres8811]

❤️🇵🇷❤️🇵🇷❤️

[@luishumbertovega3900]

@@saratorres8811 ¡ Saludos Sara, Dios te Bendiga !

[@saratorres8811]

@@luishumbertovega3900 ... Saludos desde nuestra Boriquén.🇵🇷...sabes mucha gente no está consciente de los muchos talentos que tenemos en todas las ramas del arte y sociales.. pero yo como "boomer" y boricua me siento orgullosa de mi islita...hay más cosas buenas que malas...deseo para tí y familia una muy feliz Navidad y mucha salud ... bendiciones en sus vidas.🎄✨❤️🇵🇷🎶🇵🇷

[@luishumbertovega3900]

@@saratorres8811 Gracias Sara, igualmente. Tengo 2 hermanos, uno en Orlando FL y otro en Marietta, GA viviendo por allá desde los 90s pero yo nunca me he ido de la isla, excepto pa' visitarlos o vacacionar. Saludos y Bendiciones desde Cupey. 🇵🇷

[@saratorres8811]

@@luishumbertovega3900 ... Amén 🙏 A pesar de los tiempos en que vivimos... siempre tenemos sorpresas agradables que nos brindan un poco de alegría... Bonito día 🤗...Dios les bendiga 🙏☺️

[@lucyb2872]

A good man who loves his country, very refreshing.

[@RobertSJHu]

Am so blessed and happy that we honored all the recipients of the 44th Kennedy Center Honors. THANK YOU ALL SO VERY MUCH FOR YOUR MAGICAL AND ARTISTIC GIFTS THAT ENHANCE ALL OF US IN THE USA AND THE ENTIRE WORLD. Robert S.J. Hu December 17, 2021.

[@mylesgarcia4625]

Now, THAT is a truly honest, SINCERE, DECENT man/human being. Thank you God for making Joseph R, Biden our president at this time -- and having replaced the crass pretender that used to be there!!

[@AngelDivination]

He always seem to speak so genuinely and makes each artist feel so special.

[@somerset8088]

I agree. He shares anecdotes and makes connections with each artist. It always feels so personal.

[@wickedvegas702]

He reads a teleprompter * tries*

[@gnirolnamlerf593]

@@wickedvegas702 And sounds like it is coming from his heart. His predecessor read from a teleprompter and sounded like he couldn't care less what words he was saying, he was so bored. That's because his predecessor was an entertainer, not a public servant. When he spoke off the cuff, it was to pat himself on the back or spew a snake's venom towards others, often those he had praised (I'm thinking Kelly, Mattis at the top of the very long list), claiming he knew "the best people" only months before. Thank you, I will take Biden any day, even with the stumbles.

[@janicechildress2952]

Biden is a True Giver, always.☮️💜🇺🇲

[@janicechildress2952]

Thank God America's no longer enduring an average of 7.5 lies a day, over 30,000.⭕

[@msmacmac1000]

A beautiful event to wonderful people. Thank you Mr President🙏🏽

[@josephadiaz8343]

Joni and Barry Gordy wow😊❤️🙏✌️😎💕

[@peggygibbons479]

Amen!!! Just AMEN!!

[@denisecrawford5289]

Good job Mr. President, great choices too.

[@robinreece55]

MR PRESIDENT! THANK YOU , FOR A DALIGHTFUL SALUTE TO THIS YEAR'S KENNEDY CENTER HONARS ' ARTISTS 2021 - BRILLIANT 💝

[@colinwilliams553]

AMEN.... SAME HERE!!

[@eshannon922]

This is what makes Americans proud.

[@mikewhite4560]

My FAVORITE entertainment show of the year...

[@luishumbertovega3900]

That's how a real president honor artists !!!

[@janetflier6192]

And you think he is sincere??? HAHAHAHA!!!

[@luishumbertovega3900]

@@janetflier6192 Does it matter ? His predecessor honored no one but himself, and did it in a very sincerely narcisistic way. Take that for sincereness.

[@janetflier6192]

@@luishumbertovega3900 The word is “sincerity”, not “sincereness”. Joe is NOT a “real President!!

[@luishumbertovega3900]

@@janetflier6192 Sincereness is a synonym of Sincerity. Sincereness is a noun while Sincerity is defined as a quality or state of being sincere. That's the end of today's lesson, from a teacher whose main language is Spanish. Dios te Bendiga, Janet.

[@janetflier6192]

@@luishumbertovega3900 Thanks for the English lesson!

[@janebrewster9618]

I really missed these salutes to artists during the previous 4 years. The Obama administration had many wonderful guests and hopefully this administration will follow suit.

[@dianaehrnman7590]

I am so thrilled that we have Biden in office, a truly class act who is also humble!

[@simondentry6416]

Very warm and genuine welcome from the President. The honorees are all very deserving of this award.

[@mikewhite4560]

@Kyle Albanese Good one..You must have been a sight in the SCHOOL YARD...

[@janicechildress2952]

I miss Obama's evening concerts of the greats. Check them out💜☮️

[@robindeas1610]

Great seeing character and dignity in the office

[@IzThizThingOn]

Four years without this acknowledgement of great artists.

[@susanr5546]

Arts and our support of the arts can define us, can uplift us and inspire us. This is delightful!

[@martharogers9173]

Thank you for honoring the Arts

[@clindsay8362]

Great to see a return to this wonderful tradition. 👩‍🎨

[@cece5088]

Proud of my president again!#46😎🇺🇸

[@deborahtyler875]

So proud of President Biden! Decency

[@yolilopez1992]

Such class,a credit to our country and the office of POTUS.

Bravo para todos en especial Justino Díaz🇵🇷

[@KCNwokoye]

We love you president Biden. Such a wise and humble leader. Enjoy every moment leading a very challenging nation that almost shows no gratitude.

[@RyanMatt]

OMG so great to have a dignified person back in the WH

[@Poetic_Justice1962]

Joe can speech very smoothly, and deliver a line to get laughs. Smart man, wise man, and nice too.

[@cindygoniners]

It is ridiculous that Betty White is still being snubbed by the Kennedy Center Honors committee. Amazing women with 80 years in showbiz . More important she's an amazing humanitarian and philanthropist.

[@jaditelady173mary4]

Wow....didn't know she wasn't honored yet. They better get on it soon.

[@stevefowler5970]

you have to have better credentials than "she's old" to be a Kennedy Center Honoree. what has she done other than game shows and sitcoms?

[@zackwilliams9912]

Unfortunately she passed yesterday.

[@cindygoniners]

@@stevefowler5970 huge Humanitarian, Philanthropist and Animal rights activist. That is a lot more than 1/3 the people in there already accomplished. Most them in just for singing, acting, etc. She has been relevant for over 80 years in Hollywood and broke down a lot of walls. Like when the told her they wanted to take her show from local TV to national TV. But if she wanted to she would have to fire her only black band member. She refused and said if he's not part of MY show then you don't have MY show. That should answer your question.

[@stevefowler5970]

@@cindygoniners thanks, I stand corrected

[@csandford6011]

You look great Bet love ya. Joni hands up to you. You made my single years a blast.

[@johnflynn9619]

President Biden is the Greatest. Jill is a Magnificent First Lady.

[@mrsleal2685]

Love my president We are family One big American family.

[@ThatsJustMyBabyDaddy]

Patti LaBelle is long overdue for this honor.

[@lorrainefareri4337]

Thank you, God for giving us Joe Biden. The most compassionate, thoughtful generous President, ever!!💖

[@lisadunlop6921]

Joe Biden is a joke 🤡

[@Mrskmdumas12]

So glad #46 has a sense of humor like #Forever44 did.

[@DrNancyLivingCoCreatively]

Lovely to see!!! I bet the Second Gentleman Doug has some background here that will be gifts to us all. Blessings all. Living a good life is an art. A quote from my art of love and service to wellbeing. Indeed the power of our acts and examples of love and respect are authentic power. ♥️🌹🎄

[@suehaynie5054]

Wow!

[@pauln8913]

Thank You President Biden..

[@devineglen]

They’re all so relieved it’s Biden

[@roseblake5803]

Does President Biden ever rest ? Even with a cold he’s working his but off. Thanks Mr. President 🇺🇸💙

[@dougd120]

A great way for the acclimated President to function in open arms for the Kennedy Center Honors!

[@Patri-x8v]

I thought Lorne had already been honored in 2016. Loved Steve's comment lol

[@RaymondHng]

Honorees that year were Martha Argerich, Eagles (Don Henley, Glenn Frey, Timothy B. Schmit, Joe Walsh), Al Pacino, Mavis Staples, and James Taylor

[@danielbuonanducci665]

So good to see the White House being back to normal. The evil is out.And God has returned the good back.

[@piaribes936]

A brilliant speech specially after quoting Michelangelo what a masterpiece

[@josephadiaz8343]

Bette it's about time 😊 you made it baby 😘♥️♥️♥️ congratulations dear lady, love love love you ♥️💕✌️😎🙏😊

[@johnjames6620]

Is it because she is a hypocritical nutcase?

[@darrickhooker1374]

This is the best speech I've ever seen Joe give. Great job!!!

[@brianhind9961]

A classy , genuine President that Americans can be proud of !

[@suehaynie5054]

You’re proud of this president who is incoherent at times and has open border! I guess they gave him his medication because he seems to be very eloquent now! This is administration is an embarrassment!!! Poor Caroline

[@jackgoff6043]

@@suehaynie5054 Brian's just looking for attention. As you can tell he is a very special person.

[@TheLionessjudah]

A complete genuine failure.

[@mikerowan1132]

@@suehaynie5054 How has Biden "opened" the borders? Jealous?

[@ZilchFan66]

@@mikerowan1132 Where have you been? LOL

[@JohnnyForgotten311]

Thanks Joe. That was effing great.

[@jayarbetman1873]

A smartly delivered and important speech.

[@VEGANSAM]

Watching this, I can't help but wonder: Why wasn't Joni Mitchell honored DECADES ago...& why wasn't she ever on SNL?!

[@debrahouston1374]

Great job, Mr President!! Congratulations honorees!!!!

[@tilaman3]

Lorne Michaels and Joni Mitchell Canadian, yes Lorne is also American but Canadian born and still a Canadian citizen

[@janicechildress2952]

Illustrates the importance of legal immigration to America's melting pot🇺🇸🤠😇💕

[@bluepurple1971]

Love to hear about history I get fascinated. .. Thank you President Biden. ..

[@sherreetelford9274]

Wonderful comments by the President!

[@jakebe4915]

God Bless President BIDEN, particularly after 4 years of absolute FASCIST hell.

[@JosephOster]

Great job Mr. President.

[@elisekrentzel27]

I love you President Biden. Please please ask Mr Garland to do the right thing and commit to democracy only by a determined DoJ who will harshly judge every treasonous congressman and woman to long term jail sentences so America gets to live a non-fascist future.

[@saipanbrad]

With his mask on, Justino looks like George Lucas.

[@davidmartin3243]

Liza Minnelli needs to be honored

[@mikewhite4560]

Martin Short

[@ladyrohan80]

Hear, hear to both!

[@richardjohnson455]

I thought she had already.

[@mikewhite4560]

@@richardjohnson455 NO & WHY?

[@ginimarquette3711]

Betty White?

[@emillion4470]

What will it take for Burt Bacharach and Hal David to be honored?

[@michaelreidperry3256]

At the last guy’s White House, people just got cold fast food.

[@annfayette9805]

Love this!

[@soominlee5080]

Congratulations! I respect President Biden for becoming a president overcoming stuttering over the years, Politicians work mainly by giving speeches, talking and speaking and the fact he overcame stuttering and even become a president, it is so inspiring and encouraging and very powerful testimony of the power of steadfastness, courage and will power

[@jerrycallender9927]

I remember seeing the Divine Miss M in concert, with the Harlettes in their wheel chairs, in San Diego in 1994, or was it 1995?

[@angelahesson307]

Jessica Lange; Gladys Knight; Donald Sutherland; Diane Keaton; Roberta Flack; Samuel L. Jackson; Kathy Bates - Just some of the people I would like to see honored. JMO.

[@judyannlemay618]

LOVE~LOVE~LOVE ;] ALL YO NEED

[@mikewhite4560]

Best Biden speech I've ever seen 👏

[@gwenmarie7311]

Why is Burt Bacharach not in the Kennedy Center honors????? Better Yet Why is Dionne Warwick not in there? But Burt Bacharach Needs to be there.

[@jpmonroe9603]

Indeed, Gwen. Dionne is 81 on 12-12-21. She is a great humanitarian, as well as one of the world's greatest singers. C'mon JFKC Honors.......please honor Dionne (and Burt, too) while they are still with us !

[@gnirolnamlerf593]

Well, there are so many people who could be honored. Many have died before they could be honored. It's the same with the occasional odd priorities in choosing new members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

[@georgemendez3962]

Fabulous Fabulous Fabulous ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@thybalte]

A vous écouter j’ai l’impression de retrouver votre beau pays d’avant les 8 dernières années de mensonges, fourberies, scandales, violences,régression, merci Mister Président Biden 🙏

[@SDon-wn8xb]

Correction: 4 years of lies; not 8 years!

[@Arlillo]

@@SDon-wn8xb Correct, 4 years, but it felt a lot longer!

[@SDon-wn8xb]

@@Arlillo Yes, indeed! It seems like living an unending nightmare.

[@tettyagustina905]

Glad to see USA back to NORMAL again. God bless rhe USA.

[@ronniekubin1992]

That more like it "Hello Mr. President" I can't wait till Dec 22nd

[@MegaSickcat]

How REFRESHING to have a REAL PRESIDENT back in the white house! Thank you PRESIDENT BIDEN for everything you've been doing! The last 4 years were beyond horrific. Thank you for trying so hard to get us back on a GOOD TRACK!

[@ripecolor5496]

Thank God a president!!!!!

[@Gdji5fv]

*THIS IS WHAT AMERICAN FAMILY IS ALL ABOUT* ... *UNITY!* ... *UNITY!* ... *UNITY!* ... ❤ *BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER IN BEAUTIFUL MUSIC AND LAUGHTER* ❤ *TRUMP* 🖕