In town pool report #5 post intermission remarks

After a much longer than planned intermission, the guests returned to their seats and the president took the stage:

"This is fantastic, isn't it? It is just so incredible.. This is the greatest evening in the history of the Kennedy Center. Not even a contest. There has never been anything like it. The show is already getting rave reviews. I guarantee you the fake news will.. say he was horrible as an emcee...

"This place is hot. And I just toured some of the construction. It's like resting for me. I just toured the cyber jet lounge... And some of the other things.. They're gorgeous. The Trump-Kennedy center." After pausing for some laughter and scattered applause, he quickly added, "I mean, the Kennedy Center. I'm sorry. This is terribly embarrassing.

"Well, we're really having a good time tonight... So many people I know in this audience. Some good.Some bad. Some I truly love and respect. Some I just hate.

"What i want to say, Sylvester Stallone and Michael Crawford,you are special.

"Tonight, we are seeing pure talent on full display. Nothing is more inspiring. ... Nobody has ever done it better than the people you're watching and honoring tonight and perhaps no one ever will.. Maybe someone can tie. But that's going to be tough also..

Looking ahead to the second part, he said, "Each of these terrific honorees have a story of success and pride in the United States of America. Our country is back. They tried to get Biden to do this four years in a row... I would have watched."

He said the upcoming "incredible artists" represent "uniquely American musical genres" of country, rock, bible and disco. He called them "giants."

He talked of artists who are here to sing for the honorees. "They probably don't like me very much. But we don't care. We want bigness... We don't care if they like Trump or not."