The President and the First Lady will not attend the annual Kennedy Center honors in December after two stars said they would boycott the event and others voiced their unhappiness.

The White House announced on Saturday morning that Donald Trump and wife Melania will not attend the reception that is traditionally held in the White House in order to avoid causing a 'political distraction', according to The Washington Post.

The decision comes a day after the entire membership of the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities resigned to protest Trump’s comments about last weekend’s violence in Charlottesville, Virginia.

President Donald Trump said he will not attend this year's annual Kennedy Center honors gala

TV legend Norman Lear and dancer Carmen de Lavallade had announced they would not attend the White House reception out of opposition to President Trump.

Other stars such as Lionel Richie were wavering, with Richie saying he would 'play it by ear'.

Trump’s proposal to cut funding for the arts also had drawn into question whether he would be welcome at this year’s awards.

Past presidents and first ladies have hosted a reception for honorees at the White House before the Kennedy Center gala and sat with them at the televised event.

Last year, former President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle attended the gala as it honored James Taylor, Al Pacino, Mavis Staples, Martha Argerich, and The Eagles.

Norman Lear (pictured left) and dancer Carmen de Lavallade (right) had announced they would not attend the White House reception out of opposition to President Trump

Singer Lionel Richie (pictured) said he had not made up his mind about attending the gala, saying he would 'play it by ear'

Late Show host Stephen Colbert hosted the evening and guests included former President Bill Clinton, singer Sheryl Crow, Cellist Yo-Yo Ma and country musician Garth Brooks.

A statement released Saturday morning by Chairman David M. Rubenstein & President Deborah F. Rutter of the Kennedy Center said the institution 'respects the decision made today by the office of the President of the United States.'

'In choosing not to participate in this year's Honors activities,' the statement continued, 'the Administration has graciously signaled its respect for the Kennedy Center and ensures the Honors gala remains a deservingly special moment for the Honorees.'

'The State Department Dinner and Awards Ceremony on Dec 2 and the Honors gala Dec 3 will continued as planned. All Honorees - Carmen de Lavallade, Gloria Estefan, LL COOL J, Norman Lear, and Lionel Richie - are expected to attend the weekend's Honors event.'

'The December 3 pre-gala White House Reception will no longer take place,' the statement concluded.