US President Donald Trump has announced the recipients of the 2025 Kennedy Center Honors, celebrating significant contributions to the performing arts. The honorees include country music legend George Strait, action film icon Sylvester Stallone, and renowned rock band Kiss. Additionally, English stage actor Michael Crawford, famous for his role in The Phantom of the Opera, and disco singer Gloria Gaynor, known for her anthem I Will Survive, will be recognized at the ceremony later this year.
During a recent event at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Trump revealed the honorees while discussing plans for a substantial renovation of the venue. The awards ceremony is scheduled to air on CBS in December. Trump mentioned that he was asked to host the event and accepted “reluctantly,” adding, “I didn’t want to do it. OK? They’re going to say he insisted. I did not insist. But I think it will be quite successful.”
Trump’s announcement coincides with his vision for enhancing the Kennedy Center, which he described as needing a “full renovation.” He aims to elevate the center to be “the crown jewel” of arts and culture in the United States. “We’re going to bring it to a higher level than it ever hit,” he stated, emphasizing that the renovations will be part of the celebrations for the country’s 250th anniversary in 2026.
The president took to his Truth Social platform prior to the event, playfully referring to the awards as the “TRUMP/KENNEDY CENTER, whoops, I mean, KENNEDY CENTER, AWARDS.” His comments reflect a broader initiative to reshape American cultural institutions according to his administration’s preferences. Since returning to office in January, Trump has pursued a review of certain Smithsonian museums and exhibitions, aiming to eliminate what he describes as “divisive or partisan narratives.”
Trump’s involvement with the Kennedy Center marks a significant shift from his first term, during which he largely avoided the venue. This time, he has actively engaged with its management, even replacing its chairman in February and appointing his former ambassador to Germany, Richard Grenell, as interim president, following the dismissal of the longtime president.
In a statement on social media, the Kennedy Center affirmed the planned renovations, indicating they are in line with Trump’s advocacy to restore its “prestige and grandeur.” The venue, which opened in September 1971, is set to undergo a transformation aimed at enhancing its status in the arts community.
As plans unfold, the 2025 Kennedy Center Honors promises to be an event that not only recognizes artistic excellence but also showcases a renewed commitment to the cultural landscape of the United States, as envisioned by the current administration.
