President Donald Trump hosted the 2025 Kennedy Center Honors on December 7, celebrating the contributions of five remarkable artists: Sylvester Stallone, George Strait, KISS, Gloria Gaynor, and Michael Crawford. This event marked a historic occasion as Trump became the first sitting president to host the annual honors. Notably, he had not attended the event during his first term.
During his remarks, Trump emphasized the theme of persistence among the honorees, stating, “If there is one thread that connects all of these amazing artists together, it is the word persistence.” While expressing admiration for their dedication, he also made a pointed remark about some audience members, labeling them as “miserable, horrible people.”
Reiterating the honorees’ standout quality of perseverance, Trump acknowledged that they had all faced significant challenges and setbacks. Drawing on the iconic character of Rocky Balboa, he proclaimed, “They showed us that you keep moving forward,” encapsulating the spirit of resilience in the arts.
The artists were selected by the Kennedy Center Board, a process in which Trump claims to have been heavily involved. In August of this year, he noted that he was “about 98 percent involved” in choosing the honorees, after appointing himself as chairman of the Kennedy Center earlier in February.
The Kennedy Center Honors—a prestigious annual event—recognizes individuals whose work has made a profound impact on American culture through various forms of art such as music, theater, and film. Trump’s administration took notable steps towards reshaping the Kennedy Center shortly after his return to office for a second term, and among his changes was the replacement of board members with allies supportive of his vision for the arts.
In his address, he expressed optimism about the future of the Kennedy Center, stating, “The Kennedy Center is back, and it’s going to be bigger and better and more beautiful than ever before.” He added that over $100 million had been raised recently for the institution, applauding the efforts to revitalize it.
However, reactions to Trump’s leadership have been mixed. Just months before the Kennedy Center event, Trump faced criticism for his remarks regarding “wokeness” in the arts and for his proposed renaming of the Kennedy Center to the Donald J. Trump Center for Performing Arts. Opposition, including from John F. Kennedy’s grandson, Jack Schlossberg, highlighted concerns over free expression in the arts and the implications of such a name change.
In a broader context, proposals emerged from Republican circles to also rename the Kennedy Center Opera House, honoring Melania Trump. These developments reflect ongoing discussions about the intersection of art, culture, and politics, underscoring the significance of the Kennedy Center in the landscape of American creative expression.
In an artistic landscape often characterized by change and revival, the ongoing efforts to enhance cultural institutions like the Kennedy Center can serve as a beacon of hope for the future of the arts in America.