WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump hosted the 2025 Kennedy Center honorees in the Oval Office on Saturday, celebrating their artistic contributions in a medal presentation ceremony. This year's honorees included notable figures like actor Sylvester Stallone, singers Gloria Gaynor and George Strait, the rock band Kiss, and actor-singer Michael Crawford.
During his first term, Trump overlooked the prestigious Kennedy Center and its awards program. However, since returning to office, he has implemented a series of changes, especially regarding the center’s governance, which now features replacements with GOP supporters after his ousting of the previous board of trustees.
In August, Trump indicated his involvement in selecting the honorees, claiming he was 'about 98% involved' in the decision-making process, a departure from the traditional press release announcements made by a bipartisan selection committee.
Following the Oval Office event, Trump was scheduled to attend an annual State Department dinner, previously the venue for presenting the honorees’ medallions, which he has now moved to the White House. The Kennedy Center Honors program will be taped on Sunday, featuring tribute performances for the honorees and broadcasted later in December on CBS and Paramount+. For the first time, Trump will attend the program as president, alongside First Lady Melania Trump.
Trump humorously recounted his initial reluctance to host the event, but was persuaded by his chief of staff, demonstrating a new willingness to engage with this aspect of American culture. In previous years, presidents have attended but traditionally not hosted, making this a unique departure in White House history. Additionally, Trump recently participated in the FIFA World Cup draw and accepted the inaugural peace prize while spending time at the Kennedy Center.
During his first term, Trump overlooked the prestigious Kennedy Center and its awards program. However, since returning to office, he has implemented a series of changes, especially regarding the center’s governance, which now features replacements with GOP supporters after his ousting of the previous board of trustees.
In August, Trump indicated his involvement in selecting the honorees, claiming he was 'about 98% involved' in the decision-making process, a departure from the traditional press release announcements made by a bipartisan selection committee.
Following the Oval Office event, Trump was scheduled to attend an annual State Department dinner, previously the venue for presenting the honorees’ medallions, which he has now moved to the White House. The Kennedy Center Honors program will be taped on Sunday, featuring tribute performances for the honorees and broadcasted later in December on CBS and Paramount+. For the first time, Trump will attend the program as president, alongside First Lady Melania Trump.
Trump humorously recounted his initial reluctance to host the event, but was persuaded by his chief of staff, demonstrating a new willingness to engage with this aspect of American culture. In previous years, presidents have attended but traditionally not hosted, making this a unique departure in White House history. Additionally, Trump recently participated in the FIFA World Cup draw and accepted the inaugural peace prize while spending time at the Kennedy Center.
