The Latest: NAACP Image Awards kicks off 50th annual show

The Latest on the 50th annual NAACP Image Awards, which are being presented Saturday at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California. (all times local):

6 p.m.

The 50th annual NAACP Image Awards have kicked off at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California.

Zinzi Evans, left, and Ryan Coogler arrive at the 50th annual NAACP Image Awards on Saturday, March 30, 2019, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard ShotwellInvisionAP)

Anthony Anderson returned as host of the show honoring entertainers and writers of color on Saturday. He opened the awards speaking about "black excellence" in film, hoping his behavior doesn't get him removed as host and made several jokes including one about Kanye West not being invited to cookouts.

The awards ceremony is airing live on TV One.

Donald Glover, Beyonce and "Black Panther" will be honored and vie for awards in a night where Jay-Z will receive the President's Award for his public service achievements.

Mike Epps, left, and Mechelle Epps arrive at the 50th annual NAACP Image Awards on Saturday, March 30, 2019, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard ShotwellInvisionAP)

Glover is nominated for acting and directing on "Atlanta," which is up for best comedy series. Glover's alter-ego, Childish Gambino, is nominated for top male performer, and his song "This is America" is nominated for best video and song.

11:31 a.m.

The NAACP will celebrate its 50th Image Awards by paying homage to stars including Donald Glover, Beyonce and the film "Black Panther."

Lupita Nyong'o arrives at the 50th annual NAACP Image Awards on Saturday, March 30, 2019, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard ShotwellInvisionAP)

Anthony Anderson returns as host of the show honoring entertainers and writers of color at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on Saturday evening. It airs live on TV One.

Glover is nominated for acting and directing on "Atlanta," which is up for best comedy series. Glover's alter-ego Childish Gambino is nominated for top male performer and his song "This is America" is nominated for best video and song.

"Black Panther" is nominated for 14 awards, with star Chadwick Boseman and director Ryan Coogler contending for entertainer of the year along with Beyonce, LeBron James and Regina King.

Lupita Nyong'o arrives at the 50th annual NAACP Image Awards on Saturday, March 30, 2019, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard ShotwellInvisionAP)

One nominee who's not planning to attend is embattled "Empire" actor Jussie Smollett.

Issa Rae arrives at the 50th annual NAACP Image Awards on Saturday, March 30, 2019, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard ShotwellInvisionAP)

Kate Beckinsale arrives at the 50th annual NAACP Image Awards on Saturday, March 30, 2019, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard ShotwellInvisionAP)

ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE (AP) — President Donald Trump said Sunday that he is “inclined” to keep ExxonMobil out of Venezuela after its top executive was skeptical about oil investment efforts in the country after the toppling of former President Nicolás Maduro.

“I didn’t like Exxon’s response,” Trump said to reporters on Air Force One as he departed West Palm Beach, Florida. “They’re playing too cute.”

During a meeting Friday with oil executives, Trump tried to assuage the concerns of the companies and said they would be dealing directly with the U.S., rather than the Venezuelan government.

Some, however, weren’t convinced.

“If we look at the commercial constructs and frameworks in place today in Venezuela, today it’s uninvestable,” said Darren Woods, CEO of ExxonMobil, the largest U.S. oil company.

An ExxonMobil spokesperson did not immediately respond Sunday to a request for comment.

Also on Friday, Trump signed an executive order that seeks to ensure that Venezuelan oil revenue remains protected from being used in judicial proceedings.

The executive order, made public on Saturday, says that if the funds were to be seized for such use, it could “undermine critical U.S. efforts to ensure economic and political stability in Venezuela.” Venezuela has a history of state asset seizures, ongoing U.S. sanctions and decades of political uncertainty.

Getting U.S. oil companies to invest in Venezuela and help rebuild the country’s infrastructure is a top priority of the Trump administration after Maduro's capture.

The White House is framing the effort to “run” Venezuela in economic terms, and Trump has seized tankers carrying Venezuelan oil, has said the U.S. is taking over the sales of 30 million to 50 million barrels of previously sanctioned Venezuelan crude, and plans to control sales worldwide indefinitely.

Kim reported from West Palm Beach, Florida.

President Donald Trump boards Air Force One at Palm Beach International Airport, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)