President Donald Trump has announced this year’s Kennedy Center Honors recipients, including “Rocky” actor Sylvester Stallone and country music legend George Strait.
The awards, given each year to celebrate outstanding contributions to the arts, will also go to disco star Gloria Gaynor, rock band KISS, and British theater actor Michael Crawford, famous for playing the Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera.
This year’s gala, usually held in early December and later shown on CBS, will be hosted by President Trump himself. “I didn’t insist, but I think it will be very successful,” he told reporters at the Kennedy Center. He joked that he had always wanted one of the awards but had never received one.
Stallone, 79, is a three-time Oscar nominee best known for his role as boxer Rocky Balboa. He is also a vocal supporter of President Trump. Strait, 73, is one of the best-selling musicians of all time, with hit songs like “All My Exes Live in Texas” and “Amarillo by Morning.”
Gaynor, 81, is famous for her disco anthem “I Will Survive.” KISS, formed in New York City in the 1970s, became known for its dramatic concerts and bold face paint. Crawford, 83, is celebrated for his powerful voice and his original performance in Phantom of the Opera.
The Kennedy Center, opened in 1971 as a living memorial to President John F. Kennedy, is one of America’s top performing arts venues.
In February, after returning to the White House, President Trump removed the center’s leadership and made himself board chairman, promising to remove “woke” or political programming.
During his first term (2017–2021), Trump skipped the Honors gala after some artists criticized him or refused to attend if he was present. The center is home to the National Symphony Orchestra and hosts theater, opera, comedy, and other performances.
However, in recent months, some artists have cut ties or canceled shows, including opera singer Renee Fleming, musician Ben Folds, comedian Issa Rae, and the producers of Hamilton, who canceled a planned 2026 run.
