Facing a dearth of musicians willing to align themselves with him, President-elect Donald Trump seems to have made the move many expected and tried to style out not having a big performance at his inauguration and make it seem intentional.

Mr Trump originally wanted Elton John for the gig, but he was very much unwilling, and this week there’s been rumours that Andrea Bocelli would perform at the 20 January event.

Now, Chairman of the Presidential Inaugural Committee Tom Barrack has said Mr Trump’s inauguration is “not about that kind of entertainment.”

“The monuments themselves are the draw,” he told CNBC, “when you think about walking from Lincoln to Washington, that is the moment.

“It’s not orientated around ‘let’s take Spotify and give you everything we can give you’…this inauguration is not about that kind of entertainment."

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Not wanting big names is a little out of character for a man who has a history of tweeting about showbiz news and break-ups and has recently been preparing to be president by meeting Kanye West.

“Does he need the celebrities and want the celebrities? Of course,” Barrack admitted, “but they’re all going to weigh in when they find the judiciousness of the man [once he’s in office].”

Asked what celebrations the inauguration would involve, Barrack only mentioned balls and dinners.

Women go on strike against Donald Trump Show all 7 1 /7 Women go on strike against Donald Trump Women go on strike against Donald Trump People rally as part of a nationwide protest against US President-elect Donald Trump outside of Trump Tower on December 12, 2016 in New York. Timothy A Clary/AFP/Getty Images Women go on strike against Donald Trump Protestors march during a demonstration against U.S. President-elect Donald Trump near Trump Tower in the Manhattan borough of New York City, December 12, 2016. Shannon Stapleton/Reuters Women go on strike against Donald Trump Protestors march during a demonstration against U.S. President-elect Donald Trump near Trump Tower in the Manhattan borough of New York City, December 12, 2016. Shannon Stapleton/Reuters Women go on strike against Donald Trump People rally as part of a nationwide protest against US President-elect Donald Trump outside of Trump Tower on December 12, 2016 in New York. Timothy A Clary/AFP/Getty Images Women go on strike against Donald Trump People rally as part of a nationwide protest against US President-elect Donald Trump outside of Trump Tower on December 12, 2016 in New York. Timothy A Clary/AFP/Getty Images Women go on strike against Donald Trump People rally as part of a nationwide protest against US President-elect Donald Trump outside of Trump Tower on December 12, 2016 in New York. Timothy A Clary/AFP/Getty Images Women go on strike against Donald Trump People rally as part of a nationwide protest against US President-elect Donald Trump outside of Trump Tower on December 12, 2016 in New York. Timothy A Clary/AFP/Getty Images

As for Bocelli, he claimed the singer offered to perform at the event (he is indebted to Mr Trump, who once lent him a plane), but Mr Trump apparently said: “'You don't need to. We're not in that kind of a framework. Thanks very much for the offer. You're my friend. You are always welcome at the White House.”