Dan Scavino Jr., assistant to the 45th President of the United States of America & Director of Social Media, shared a video of the Marist College Band and Spirit Team on his Twitter account praising the Hudson Valley college for their performance in Friday's Inaugural Parade.
Although the Hudson Valley college received much criticism for its agreement to participate as many opposed that Trump’s “history of racism, bigotry and sexism does not reflect Marist College values,” the band felt “this opportunity would be invaluable publicity for participants and for the school” and that its participation was “not indicative of ... support for any one party or candidate.”
Marist spokesman Greg Cannon told the Poughkeepsie Journal in December that 'the college submitted its performance request well before the election "to give our great band the possible opportunity to show off their talents on a national stage."'
Cannon, who could not be reached for comment Friday, also said to the Poughkeepsie Journal that Marist is "very proud of the band for being chosen for this honor. We recognize there are people in the college community who disagree with our participation and we firmly believe ... this is an opportunity for the band. It's not a political action.”