When Stupid Intellectuals Attack

This is an example of the denseness of the so-called intellectual class in America. Here is the country honoring somebody who is a great artist for his personal achievements and he is torn internally because he might have to sully himself by going to the White House for a party in his honor. What am I not getting? Maybe he should refuse the award and renounce his citizenship in protest. The other confusing thing is I am not sure who he is, and what he has done.