President Trump Hosts 2025 Kennedy Center Honorees, Praising Their Accomplishments and Legacy.
In a ceremony in the Oval Office, President Trump honored five artists with the prestigious Kennedy Center Honors award. This year's honorees include actor Sylvester Stallone, singers Gloria Gaynor and George Strait, rock band Kiss, and actor-singer Michael Crawford.
Trump described this year's class as "perhaps the most accomplished and renowned class" ever assembled. The president praised each of the artists individually, highlighting their significant contributions to American arts and culture. Trump stated that he knows many of them personally and has been a fan of all of them.
During the ceremony, each honoree received a new medal designed by Tiffany & Co., featuring the Kennedy Center's image on one side and their name on the reverse. The medals were worn around a navy blue ribbon instead of the traditional rainbow-colored ribbon adorned with three gold plates that rested on the honorees' shoulders.
The president spoke highly of each recipient, including Stallone, calling him "wonderful" and "spectacular." Trump also praised George Strait as "the king of country," Gloria Gaynor as "the disco queen," Kiss as "an incredible rock band," and Michael Crawford for his lead role in the long-running "Phantom of the Opera."
The ceremony marked a change from previous years, when the honorees received their medals at an annual State Department dinner. Trump moved the ceremony to the White House this year.
In August, President Trump announced that he was "about 98% involved" in choosing this year's honorees, despite the selection process being led by a bipartisan committee in previous years. The president's involvement in selecting the honorees has been a subject of controversy, with some artists canceling performances and staff members resigning due to changes made to the Kennedy Center.
The Kennedy Center Honors program will be taped on Sunday and broadcast on CBS television stations and Paramount+ on December 23 at 8 p.m. ET/PT. President Trump is expected to attend the broadcast for the first time as president, accompanied by his wife, first lady Melania Trump.
In a ceremony in the Oval Office, President Trump honored five artists with the prestigious Kennedy Center Honors award. This year's honorees include actor Sylvester Stallone, singers Gloria Gaynor and George Strait, rock band Kiss, and actor-singer Michael Crawford.
Trump described this year's class as "perhaps the most accomplished and renowned class" ever assembled. The president praised each of the artists individually, highlighting their significant contributions to American arts and culture. Trump stated that he knows many of them personally and has been a fan of all of them.
During the ceremony, each honoree received a new medal designed by Tiffany & Co., featuring the Kennedy Center's image on one side and their name on the reverse. The medals were worn around a navy blue ribbon instead of the traditional rainbow-colored ribbon adorned with three gold plates that rested on the honorees' shoulders.
The president spoke highly of each recipient, including Stallone, calling him "wonderful" and "spectacular." Trump also praised George Strait as "the king of country," Gloria Gaynor as "the disco queen," Kiss as "an incredible rock band," and Michael Crawford for his lead role in the long-running "Phantom of the Opera."
The ceremony marked a change from previous years, when the honorees received their medals at an annual State Department dinner. Trump moved the ceremony to the White House this year.
In August, President Trump announced that he was "about 98% involved" in choosing this year's honorees, despite the selection process being led by a bipartisan committee in previous years. The president's involvement in selecting the honorees has been a subject of controversy, with some artists canceling performances and staff members resigning due to changes made to the Kennedy Center.
The Kennedy Center Honors program will be taped on Sunday and broadcast on CBS television stations and Paramount+ on December 23 at 8 p.m. ET/PT. President Trump is expected to attend the broadcast for the first time as president, accompanied by his wife, first lady Melania Trump.
and another thing, why are they changing the way they receive their medals now? it seems kinda weird. 
. It just doesn't add up. I'd love to see some more info on that selection process and who's actually behind the scenes making sure everything runs smoothly. This whole thing feels like a PR stunt to me 
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. Still, it's nice that they're recognizing these talented individuals and their hard work 
. And can we talk about Sylvester Stallone for a sec? The guy's been slaying since Rocky 
!
. I mean, come on, a bipartisan committee chooses the honorees and then it's all about Trump saying what he wants? "Perhaps the most accomplished and renowned class" ever assembled... yeah right, sounds like a total PR stunt to me 
. And who cares if they're "influenced" by him 98%? That's just code for "he's pulling strings behind the scenes". I don't trust this ceremony one bit, it's all about Trump trying to boost his own image and legacy 
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. I mean, I guess it's cool that he's giving them a special medal designed by Tiffany & Co., but the navy blue ribbon is just so... understated 
. And what's up with the non-traditional ceremony at the White House? It feels like more of a photo op for Trump than an actual celebration of these talented artists 
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. Who needs a bipartisan committee when you've got the president's personal taste, right? It's not like some people might be protesting his involvement or anything... 
. Can't wait to see them all on TV in December 
. I mean, I love George Strait and Gloria Gaynor as much as anyone, but do we really need Trump praising them so heavily? 
It'll be interesting to see how the ceremony plays out on TV, especially with the new medal design and all that.
. We'll just have to wait and see! 
and I love how George Strait is called the "king of country" - his music is so classic 
and what's up with Kiss getting their own medal design? Tiffany & Co. did a sick job 
. I love Sylvester Stallone and Gloria Gaynor as much as the next person, but come on, Trump knows them personally? 
, and I'm not sure what's more cringeworthy - the fact that he's choosing the honorees himself or that the ceremony was moved to the White House from the State Department dinner... it just feels like another ego trip for him 
. The only good news is that Gloria Gaynor, aka the disco queen, still knows how to bring the party 
. Still, I'm not holding my breath for this ceremony - it's going to be all about Trump and his ego, and I'd rather watch paint dry 
.
michael crawford's phanto thing is still fire btw 
. and whats with the navy blue ribbon? wasnt it always rainbow or smthn? anyway, trump seems to know his stuff, even if some ppl are salty about him doing it 
Sylvester Stallone and George Strait are legends in my eyes!! 
and George Strait is the king of country, no debate 
Kiss is also iconic, but they're kinda weird for me lol 
Michael Crawford is amazing too, Phantom of the Opera is one of my all-time faves 
I'm so hyped that President Trump hosted the ceremony and praised each of them individually - it's about time they got some recognition! 
the ceremony sounds super awkward with trump praising himself lol who does he think he is anyway? and 98% involved in choosing the honorees? that's just ridiculous 
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. Maybe we should all try to be more open-minded and celebrate each other's differences instead of judging them.
. michael crawford's phantom vocals give me chills every time 
at least these artists are getting recognized for their hard work and contributions to american arts and culture, that's def something to get hyped about 