President Donald Trump put his personal imprint on one of the nation’s most prestigious cultural traditions Wednesday, announcing this year’s Kennedy Center Honors recipients himself after installing loyalists on the center’s board and naming himself chairman.
Flanked by American flags and covered photo stands for each honoree, Trump revealed the 2025 awardees: country music legend George Strait, “Rocky” star Sylvester Stallone, singer Gloria Gaynor, rock band Kiss, and actor-singer Michael Crawford.
“I was about 98% involved” in the selections, Trump told reporters at the Kennedy Center, adding that he rejected nominees he deemed “too woke” or too liberal. He said the honorees were “great people” and joked about Strait, 73, “Good looking guy. I hope he still looks that way.”
Background: A Cultural Institution in Transition
The Kennedy Center Honors, created in 1978, traditionally recognize lifetime achievement in the performing arts, spanning dance, music, theater, and film. Past presidents from both parties attended the ceremony, honoring artists regardless of political affiliation.
This year marks a departure from that tradition. No honoree represents dance, jazz, or classical music, and Trump said he plans to host the December ceremony himself — a role once held by Caroline Kennedy, daughter of the late President John F. Kennedy.
During his first term, Trump did not attend the awards, citing political tensions. Since returning to office, he has moved swiftly to reshape the institution, replacing its board with allies and signaling changes to programming, including banning events with drag performers.
Political and Artistic Reactions
Trump’s selections include artists who have supported him — Stallone has called Trump “the second George Washington,” and founding Kiss member Ace Frehley endorsed him in 2020. Kiss co-founder Paul Stanley, however, has criticized Trump’s refusal to accept his 2020 election loss.
“The prestige of the Kennedy Center Honors cannot be overstated,” Stanley said in a statement, dedicating the honor to “the long legacy of Kiss and all of the band members who helped create our iconic band.”
Not all in the arts community welcome the shift. The producers of Hamilton canceled a planned 2026 production at the center, citing Trump’s “aggressive takeover.” Maria Shriver, a niece of JFK, called proposals to rename the center after Trump “insane.”
Government Moves and Renaming Efforts
In July, Trump signed a spending bill with a House GOP amendment to rename the Kennedy Center’s Opera House for First Lady Melania Trump, though the change has not taken effect. He has also floated the idea of rebranding the entire venue as the “Trump/Kennedy Center.”
Next Steps
The 2025 Kennedy Center Honors ceremony will be held Dec. 7, airing on CBS and streaming on Paramount+. Whether Trump’s vision will redefine the awards’ legacy — or deepen political divides in the arts — remains to be seen.
