Brian Williams Nixes PBS Appearance

WASHINGTON (AP) — NBC’s Brian Williams has withdrawn from hosting a broadcast honoring those who support U.S. veterans and military families, and first lady Michelle Obama is stepping in to film an introduction instead.

Williams was set to host the inaugural Lincoln Awards, which are scheduled to air Friday on PBS. The concert was filmed in January, featuring appearances by Nick Jonas, Gavin DeGraw and Jerry Lewis.

Williams was suspended at NBC following revelations he embellished details of stories he was involved in, including military coverage.

Lincoln Awards co-founder Cappy McGarr says Williams asked to be removed from the PBS broadcast because he didn’t want to be a distraction.

The Lincoln Award honorees include Bruce Springsteen; Segway inventor and bionic arm creator Dean Kamen; and Fisher House Foundation CEO Ken Fisher, among others.