In a significant break from decades of tradition, President Donald Trump took centre stage as the host of the annual Kennedy Center Honors on Sunday evening. The event, which for years saw U.S. presidents as spectators from an Opera House box, instead featured Trump commanding the podium to celebrate a class of pop-culture icons including Sylvester Stallone, the rock band Kiss, and disco legend Gloria Gaynor.
A Presidential Host Breaks Tradition
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, named for a Democratic president, has become a focal point in Trump's broader critique of what he calls "woke" anti-American culture since he returned to office in January. Trump is the first sitting president to host the ceremony, a role previously filled by figures like journalist Walter Cronkite and comedian Stephen Colbert. Notably, Trump skipped the honours entirely during his first term.
Arriving at the ceremony, Trump told reporters he "didn't really prepare very much" for his hosting duties, relying on his memory and a desire to "be myself." He likened his approach to that of late-night icon Johnny Carson. The president stated he agreed to host "at the request of a certain television network" and predicted the broadcast, scheduled for December 23 on CBS and Paramount+, would achieve record ratings.
Honouring Cultural Icons
Established in 1978, the Kennedy Center Honors recognize profound influence on American culture and the arts. The 2025 class is a collection of entertainment legends. Sylvester Stallone is being celebrated for his iconic film roles in the "Rocky" and "Rambo" franchises. Gloria Gaynor is honoured for her timeless feminist anthem "I Will Survive," while the rock band Kiss is recognized for its flamboyant makeup, pyrotechnics, and enduring stage spectacle. Country music superstar George Strait and Tony Award-winning actor Michael Crawford round out this year's honorees.
The ceremony was poised to be poignant for Kiss, following the October death of original lead guitarist Ace Frehley after a fall. Band co-founder Gene Simmons said on the red carpet that President Trump had assured him an empty chair would be placed among the band members in Frehley's memory.
Stallone described the experience as being in the "eye of a hurricane," calling it amazing but overwhelming. Gloria Gaynor said the recognition "feels like a dream" and is "the pinnacle." Michael Crawford found the honour "humbling, especially at the end of a career."
Trump's Transformation of the Kennedy Center
The president's involvement caps a period of dramatic change at the institution. Trump has upended its traditionally bipartisan support by ousting its leadership and filling its board of trustees with Republican allies, who subsequently elected him chair. He has publicly criticized the center's programming and its physical appearance, even joking about renaming it the "Trump Kennedy Center." Under his influence, the center secured more than $250 million from Congress for building renovations.
Trump has stated he was deeply involved in selecting the 2025 honorees and rejected some candidates for being "too woke." While Stallone is a known Trump supporter, the political leanings of other honorees vary. Gene Simmons praised Trump during his 2016 campaign but later criticized him in 2022. Fellow Kiss member Paul Stanley denounced Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 election, calling January 6 rioters "terrorists," but urged unity after Trump's 2024 victory.
The event represents a complex moment where art, celebrity, and politics intersect, with a president firmly imprinting his vision on one of the nation's most prestigious cultural awards.
