Trump to lead Kennedy Center Honors announces honorees

Trump announces the 2025 Kennedy Center Honors honorees and signals potential changes to the ceremony.

Trump leads Kennedy Center Honors amid ceremony changes

President Donald Trump announced the 2025 Kennedy Center Honors honorees from the center’s Hall of Nations, naming Kiss, Michael Crawford, George Strait, Sylvester Stallone and Gloria Gaynor. He said he was deeply involved in selecting the honorees and joked that next year he would receive the honor himself. Tom Cruise was reportedly offered the honors but declined due to scheduling.

The move blends cultural tradition with political theater, raising questions about the independence of a national arts institution. When a president leads the process, the line between celebration and messaging can blur, inviting scrutiny from artists and audiences alike. The center also hints at changes to the ceremony, including medallion redesigns and potential shifts in event logistics that could affect the show's character. The internal shakeups, such as production changes and staff departures, underscore fragility in a ceremony already challenged by lower subscriptions and public controversy.

Highlights

The ceremony may reveal how far this presidency will shape public art and cultural rituals.