A delightful tabloid rumor gained substance Sunday night—when Sylvester Stallone issued a statement through his publicist taking himself out of the running to chair the National Endowment for the Arts.
“I believe I could be more effective by bringing national attention to returning military personnel in an effort to find gainful employment, suitable housing and financial assistance these heroes respectfully deserve,” Stallone said.
“I am incredibly flattered to have been suggested to be involved.”
Stallone’s even acknowledging suggestions he was up for the job lent unexpected credence to the dishy exclusive reported last week by the Daily Mail—
His subsequent denial brought bittersweet tidings for those inclined to think the NEA, a safe space for snivelling aesthetes and left-leaning career bureaucrats, desperately needs John Rambo and/or Rocky Balboa at its helm.
Still, there’s no denying Stallone’s statement is perfectly pitched from such a popular icon of American might. A national symbol of the valorous underdog, he would obviously be wasted at the NEA.
Rather than further demoralize sniffing snobs already freaked out to be serving under a President Trump, he would do the most good lending a hand to our homecoming heroes. (And really, who better than Rambo?)
But the NEA rumor is hardly senseless: Stallone is no stranger to the arts. Yes, he’s an acclaimed screen actor recently nominated for his second Academy Award, but the aging action star is also an art collector and an abstract expressionist.
Within the rarefied art world, he’s a sneered-at outsider of Trumpian proportions. A smaller man would surely pursue the NEA chairmanship, relishing the opportunity to torment his snootiest detractors.
