The Kennedy Center Honors 2025, hosted by former President Donald Trump, became a focal point blending entertainment, politics, and culture. For the first time, a sitting president took center stage at this prestigious event, celebrating honorees Sylvester Stallone, Kiss, Gloria Gaynor, Michael Crawford, and George Strait – artists Trump described as “legendary in so many ways.”
Trump opened the ceremony by praising the honorees’ global impact, dubbing them among the greatest performers in history. Since returning to office, he reshaped the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts—named after a Democratic predecessor—using it as a platform in his broader pushback against what he calls “woke” culture. Foxing his influence, Trump personally selected the five honorees from a list of about 50 names, reportedly rejecting some nominees for being “too woke.”
.@POTUS presents medallions to the 2025 Kennedy Center Honors recipients: George Strait, Michael Crawford, Gloria Gaynor, Sylvester Stallone, and Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Peter Criss, and Ace Frehley (accepted by his daughter). pic.twitter.com/T7Z8A1R36M
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) December 6, 2025
The ceremony, broadcast December 23 on CBS and Paramount+, featured tribute performances spotlighting iconic careers. Stallone, best known for “Rocky” and “Rambo,” called the event akin to standing “in the eye of a hurricane,” while Broadway icon Crawford, renowned for “Phantom of the Opera,” called the honor “humbling.” Disco queen Gloria Gaynor, famous for “I Will Survive,” described the moment as the pinnacle of her life. Kiss, with their electric stage antics, received a poignant tribute that included a smoke-emitting guitar honoring late guitarist Ace Frehley, who passed away earlier in 2025.
The evening balanced moments of celebration with Trump’s trademark bluntness. After touring Kennedy Center renovation projects, he remarked on the night’s mix of attendees—from those he respects deeply to others he openly criticized. “Many of you are persistent… some I truly love and respect. Some I just hate,” Trump said, creating a complex atmosphere blending camaraderie and conflict.
Trump’s tenure has altered the center’s leadership and direction, placing Republican allies on the board and funneling over $250 million toward renovations. Though he joked about renaming the venue the “Trump Kennedy Center,” he deferred such decisions to the board.
The politically charged atmosphere extended to the audience and performers. Kiss member Paul Stanley voiced mixed views on Trump, criticizing past actions but urging voters to accept election results after Trump’s 2024 victory. Meanwhile, records show Gloria Gaynor’s recent political donations favor Republicans, and other honorees have remained publicly neutral or expressed nuanced positions.
Historically, the Kennedy Center Honors have united political figures and entertainment stars across ideological divides, though tensions occasionally surface. Past presidents have balanced their political identities with respect for artistry, as when Ronald Reagan honored liberal playwright Arthur Miller or Bill Clinton celebrated gun-rights advocate Charlton Heston. Trump’s involvement, including his absence during his first term, marks a stark departure from tradition.
The 2025 Kennedy Center Honors remain a significant cultural event, showcasing legendary artists while reflecting the current political landscape’s divisions and provocations. It illustrates how the intersection of art and politics continues to shape American public life.