WASHINGTON (RTW News) — On Saturday, President Donald Trump held a ceremony in the Oval Office to honor the recipients of the 2025 Kennedy Center Honors. This year’s honorees include iconic actor Sylvester Stallone, renowned singers Gloria Gaynor and George Strait, legendary rock band Kiss, and actor-singer Michael Crawford.
During his first term, Trump had overlooked the Kennedy Center and its prestigious award program, but upon returning to office in January, he instituted significant changes, notably replacing its board of trustees with supporters loyal to his administration. Trump has since expressed criticism of the Center's programming and aesthetics, vowing a major overhaul.
In an unprecedented move, Trump personally announced the 2025 honorees at the Kennedy Center, asserting that he was “about 98% involved” in selecting them, a departure from the historical practice where a bipartisan committee handled the nominations.
Later Saturday, Trump was scheduled to attend a State Department dinner for the honorees, which traditionally featured a ceremony for presenting medallions. However, it appears Trump has transitioned this event to the White House. The Kennedy Center's celebrated Honors program, which includes tribute performances, will be recorded on Sunday for broadcast in December on CBS and Paramount+, marking Trump's first attendance at the program as president, accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump.
Regarding his hosting the event, Trump humorously remarked on prior reservations about taking on the role, but ultimately agreed at the suggestion of his chief of staff.
In addition to the award honors, Trump attended the Kennedy Center to participate in the FIFA World Cup draw for 2026 and accept its inaugural peace prize, also holding discussions with Canadian and Mexican leaders.
During his first term, Trump had overlooked the Kennedy Center and its prestigious award program, but upon returning to office in January, he instituted significant changes, notably replacing its board of trustees with supporters loyal to his administration. Trump has since expressed criticism of the Center's programming and aesthetics, vowing a major overhaul.
In an unprecedented move, Trump personally announced the 2025 honorees at the Kennedy Center, asserting that he was “about 98% involved” in selecting them, a departure from the historical practice where a bipartisan committee handled the nominations.
Later Saturday, Trump was scheduled to attend a State Department dinner for the honorees, which traditionally featured a ceremony for presenting medallions. However, it appears Trump has transitioned this event to the White House. The Kennedy Center's celebrated Honors program, which includes tribute performances, will be recorded on Sunday for broadcast in December on CBS and Paramount+, marking Trump's first attendance at the program as president, accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump.
Regarding his hosting the event, Trump humorously remarked on prior reservations about taking on the role, but ultimately agreed at the suggestion of his chief of staff.
In addition to the award honors, Trump attended the Kennedy Center to participate in the FIFA World Cup draw for 2026 and accept its inaugural peace prize, also holding discussions with Canadian and Mexican leaders.
