Singer Linda Ronstadt took a swipe at Secretary of State Mike Pompeo Michael (Mike) Richard PompeoWatchdog confirms State Dept. canceled award for journalist who criticized Trump Trump's push for win with Sudan amps up pressure on Congress Putin nominated for Nobel Peace Prize MORE during a State Department dinner celebrating her and other Kennedy Center honorees on Saturday night, Variety reported.

At the start of the reception, during which honorees are typically presented with their Kennedy Center Honors medals, Pompeo reportedly referenced the singer’s 1975 track “When Will I Be Loved.”

“As I travel the world, I wonder, when will I be loved?” he reportedly said during his welcome address.

ADVERTISEMENT

Ronstadt revisited Pompeo's comments when she was given the opportunity to say a few words upon receiving her honor, according to Variety.

When the time came for her to take the microphone, Ronstadt reportedly said, “I’d like to say to Mr. Pompeo, who wonders when he’ll be loved, it’s when he stops enabling Donald Trump.”

Ronstadt's remarks were reportedly met with surprise and cheers from the audience before she took her seat again.

The swipe from Ronstadt comes several months after she took aim at President Trump Donald John TrumpBiden says voters should choose who nominates Supreme Court justice Trump, Biden will not shake hands at first debate due to COVID-19 Pelosi: Trump Supreme Court pick 'threatens' Affordable Care Act MORE upon receiving word that she would be among a number of high-profile performers being honored by the Kennedy Center this year.

According to The Washington Post, the singer said she didn’t “want to be in the same room with him.”

“I don’t think he would dare show his face. He doesn’t know anything about art. He knows about money,” Ronstadt, who was honored by former President Obama with the National Medal of Arts in 2014, said.

Ronstadt is one of five famed individuals, groups and TV shows being honored by the Kennedy Center this year. The others are Earth, Wind & Fire; Sally Field; "Sesame Street"; and Michael Tilson Thomas.