Trump hosts Kennedy Center honorees and teases hosting skills: ‘I’m sure they’ll give me great reviews’
A president’s night of accolades unfolded as Donald Trump welcomed the 2025 Kennedy Center honorees to a Medal Presentation in the Oval Office. The celebration honored country star George Strait, actor-singer Michael Crawford, actor Sylvester “Sly” Stallone, and the members of the rock group Kiss. Trump described the moment as a significant honor and praised the honorees as a remarkable, unifying force for millions of Americans, calling this class the most accomplished Kennedy Center cohort yet.
Kennedy Center president Richard Grenell stood nearby as Trump presented the medals. Grenell, appointed earlier this year to lead the center, also serves as a special envoy to Latin America for the administration.
Trump noted that the medallions were redesigned by Tiffany & Co., praising their work and joking that he has a long acquaintance with the designers because they are “right next to Trump Tower.”
Historically, Trump did not attend the Kennedy Center Honors during his first term and did not participate in the annual ceremony. Since taking office for a second term, he has reshaped the center’s board with supporters and has pledged to fully renovate the venue, aiming to elevate the center as a cultural crown jewel in the United States.
Trump indicated that the honorees’ selection process remained unclear, though he stated in August that he was about 98% involved in the listing.
The Kennedy Center Honors program, which includes tribute performances for each recipient, is planned to be taped on Sunday and broadcast later in December.
During the August announcement, Trump said he would host the show, and on Saturday he set high expectations: predicting it would be the show’s highest-rated episode ever, even more than previous well-rated broadcasts. He quipped about the challenge of matching the ratings and made a light jab at humorist Jimmy Kimmel, suggesting he might outrank him in talent. He concluded with a playful note implying that if he cannot surpass Kimmel in talent, he might reconsider his presidential role, joking that hosting success would reflect on his leadership.
Would this unprecedented combination of a presidential host and high-profile honorees shift public perception of the Kennedy Center Honors, and what are your thoughts on a sitting president hosting major cultural awards?
