WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump hosted the Kennedy Center Honors on Sunday, celebrating Sylvester Stallone, Kiss, Gloria Gaynor, Michael Crawford, and George Strait, whom he personally helped select, calling them “legendary in so many ways.” Opening the ceremony, Trump noted that “billions and billions of people have watched them over the years,” highlighting the honorees’ global reach and impact. During the televised event, which will air Dec. 23 on CBS and Paramount+, each artist was recognized through tribute performances, while Trump delivered prerecorded introductions praising their achievements and persistence.
Trump, who skipped the event during his first term, appeared on stage three times throughout the night and mingled with the audience alongside First Lady Melania Trump. His remarks combined admiration with pointed humor, referencing both the honorees’ legendary careers and the audience members’ personalities. The ceremony included a tribute to Kiss’ late guitarist Ace Frehley, with a smoke-emitting red guitar on stage, and closed with a high-energy performance by Cheap Trick. Stallone, Crawford, and Gaynor all expressed humility and gratitude for their recognition. The 2025 ceremony also reflected Trump’s influence over the Kennedy Center, where he has reshaped leadership, increased funding for renovations, and emphasized his preference for artists he views as non-woke. Despite differing political views among the honorees, the event highlighted their cultural contributions and enduring legacies.