President Donald Trump unveiled the next recipients of the Kennedy Center’s honors at an event on Wednesday, marking his third visit to the performing arts complex since returning to office. As part of his efforts to exert influence over Washington, DC, Trump announced that he will personally host the institution’s awards show in December.
Trump cited a desire to “restore” the Kennedy Center as a premier venue for performing arts, and praised the honorees: singer George Strait, actors Michael Crawford and Sylvester Stallone, singer Gloria Gaynor, and rock band KISS. He also expressed enthusiasm for hosting the awards show again, citing his experience with reality TV shows like “The Apprentice.”
However, Trump’s involvement in the Kennedy Center has been met with criticism from Democrats and artists connected to the institution. In February, he dismissed several Democratic appointees from the board of trustees, replacing them with allies and aides.
Trump has also taken steps to influence programming at the Kennedy Center, including hosting a film premiere that showcases the resurgence of faith among American youth. The president has pressed for a shift in the center’s approach, which some see as an attempt to impose his own worldview on DC’s cultural institutions.
The move marks an escalation from Trump’s first term, during which he largely avoided engaging with DC’s cultural institutions. However, since returning to office, he has prioritized exerting federal influence over the city and its key institutions, including the Kennedy Center.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/08/13/politics/kennedy-center-honorees-donald-trump