Trump to Host Kennedy Center Honors, George Strait and Sylvester Stallone Among 2025 Honorees
In a dramatic break from tradition, President Donald Trump announced today that he will personally host the 2025 Kennedy Center Honors, taking the helm of one of America’s most prestigious cultural events. The ceremony, set for December and to be broadcast nationally on CBS, will honor a lineup of household names: country music legend George Strait, actor and filmmaker Sylvester Stallone, disco icon Gloria Gaynor, rock band KISS, and Broadway and West End star Michael Crawford.
It marks Trump’s first active participation in the Kennedy Center Honors — a sharp contrast to his first term in office, when he declined to attend the annual event amid public boycotts from several honorees. This time, he isn’t just attending; he says he is directly overseeing the entire program.
“I’ve been 98 percent involved in choosing these incredible honorees,” Trump told reporters, adding that he personally rejected candidates he considered “too woke.”
Trump’s deep involvement follows his self-appointment earlier this year as Chairman of the Kennedy Center, a move that also saw him replace much of the institution’s board of trustees with his own appointees. The White House says his role in the event will include introducing the honorees, coordinating segments of the televised program, and, in his words, “making the evening truly about celebrating greatness in the arts.”
The Kennedy Center Honors, founded in 1978, have long been regarded as a bipartisan celebration of artistic excellence, recognizing performers who have made lasting contributions to American culture. Past presidents traditionally attend the event as guests of honor — a role that, until now, Trump had avoided entirely.
His announcement has already drawn both praise and criticism. Supporters say his presence will bring renewed attention to the arts and highlight entertainers with wide popular appeal. Critics, however, warn that Trump’s direct influence over the selection process risks politicizing what has historically been a nonpartisan tradition.
This year’s honorees reflect a mix of music, film, and theater achievements. George Strait, often called the “King of Country,” is being recognized for a career spanning more than four decades, 60 No. 1 singles, and an unwavering commitment to traditional country music. Sylvester Stallone’s honor comes after nearly 50 years in Hollywood, with iconic roles in Rocky, Rambo, and other enduring franchises. Gloria Gaynor’s inclusion celebrates her influence on disco and gospel music, anchored by her anthemic hit I Will Survive. Rock legends KISS are being honored for their theatrical style and decades of chart success, while Michael Crawford’s award recognizes his legendary performances in The Phantom of the Opera and other stage productions.
The December event will feature performances from surprise guests, archival footage of the honorees’ careers, and, for the first time, an active presidential role in hosting the evening.
Whether Trump’s unprecedented involvement will reshape the Kennedy Center Honors for years to come remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: this year’s ceremony will be among the most closely watched — and most talked-about — in the event’s history.