Trump Names Kennedy Center Honorees in Attempt to Mark DC with His Influence
The Kennedy Center Honors Return with a Diverse Lineup
After a hiatus of several years, the Kennedy Center Honors are making a comeback, and the first recipients since Donald Trump took control of the institution's board in 2025 have been announced. The honorees include a diverse group of individuals from the worlds of music, theater, and film.
President Trump revealed the slate of honorees on August 13, 2025, in a post on Truth Social. George Strait, Sylvester Stallone, the rock band KISS, Gloria Gaynor, and Michael Crawford will be the first to receive the prestigious Kennedy Center Honors since Trump assumed control of the Kennedy Center's board in February.
George Strait, often referred to as the "King of Country," has enjoyed a record-breaking music career. Michael Crawford, on the other hand, is renowned for his iconic role as the Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway. The other honorees include actor Sylvester Stallone, singer Gloria Gaynor, and the rock band KISS.
Trump has expressed his commitment to renovating and elevating the Kennedy Center as a premier cultural venue, aiming to make it a "crown jewel" of American arts. The president has been hands-on in overhauling programming and drawing up plans for renovating the complex, as evidenced by his third visit to the Kennedy Center since returning to the White House.
During his visit, Trump toured the Kennedy Center to consider how to spend the $250 million set aside for renovations. The Kennedy Center has stated that renovations will restore the building's prestige and grandeur.
The Kennedy Center has also announced it will host the premiere of a film produced by the Christian Broadcasting Network. The film showcases the remarkable resurgence of faith among the youth in America.
The Kennedy Center has become another rallying point for demonstrating loyalty to Trump within the GOP. Rep. Bob Onder of Missouri introduced the Make Entertainment Great Again Act, which would strip former President John F. Kennedy's name from the complex in favor of making it the "Donald J. Trump Center for Performing Arts." However, so far, Onder's legislation has not attracted a single co-sponsor.
The 2025 Kennedy Center Honors Gala is planned for December 2025, with Trump hosting the event. The Kennedy Center Honors, with their return, promise to celebrate the best of American arts and culture under the leadership of President Trump.
[1] "Trump Announces Kennedy Center Honorees." CNN, August 13, 2025. https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/13/entertainment/trump-kennedy-center-honorees/index.html
[2] "Trump Takes Control of the Kennedy Center." The New York Times, February 1, 2025. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/01/arts/trump-kennedy-center.html
[3] "Trump to Host Kennedy Center Honors Gala." The Washington Post, October 1, 2025. https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts/2025/10/01/trump-host-kennedy-center-honors-gala/
[4] "Meet the Kennedy Center Honorees." The Kennedy Center, August 13, 2025. https://www.kennedy-center.org/calendar/event/KCH20251201H
- The Kennedy Center Honors, known for recognizing contributions to American arts, will be hosted by President Trump at the end of 2025, following his takeover of the Kennedy Center's board in 2025. (politics, general news)
- The honorees, including George Strait, Sylvester Stallone, KISS, Gloria Gaynor, and Michael Crawford, have been selected from diverse fields such as music, theater, and film. (politics, policy-and-legislation, arts)
- President Trump has expressed interest in turning the Kennedy Center into a premier cultural venue, aiming to restore its prestige and grandeur by allocating $250 million for renovations. (politics, war-and-conflicts, crime-and-justice, policy-and-legislation, sports)
- The Kennedy Center will also be hosting a film produced by the Christian Broadcasting Network focusing on the resurgence of faith among American youth, emphasizing its role as a cultural platform beyond the arts. (casino-and-gambling, crime-and-justice, general-news, politics)
