The 48th Kennedy Center Honors delivered its usual mix of big moments and unexpected cameos, celebrating five artists across film, music, and the stage for their lifetime impact on the arts.
During the December 7 ceremony, hosted by President Donald Trump, honorees included Tony-winning stage and screen star Michael Crawford, Grammy-winning disco icon Gloria Gaynor, country legend George Strait, rock band Kiss—Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Peter Criss, and the late Ace Frehley—and Hollywood icon Sylvester Stallone.
After Trump introduced Stallone in a pre-recorded message—an approach used for each honoree—Kurt Russell stepped onstage to present a tribute. Russell and Stallone co-starred in 1989’s Tango & Cash, and Russell spoke warmly about their long friendship.
Recalling the first time he watched Rocky, Russell said it left him stunned: “I wondered out loud, ‘Where in the hell did they find this boxer who is such a great actor?’” (via AARP). He added that “the story of Sly Stallone is the story of the American Dream,” and looked back fondly on their time working together, saying Stallone “treated me like his little brother. He took care of me.”
The night carried plenty of emotion for Stallone, recognized for more than five decades as an Oscar-nominated actor, writer, and director—best known for Rocky and for bringing Rambo to the screen, performances that helped define modern action cinema.
Frank Stallone also appeared to honor his brother, offering a heartfelt message: “You’ll always be my hero, and I love you so much.”
Russell’s presence, however, quickly became a talking point online. Some viewers said they were surprised to see him at an event hosted by Trump, and several took it as a sign of political alignment—drawing disappointment in the comments.
“So disappointed in Kurt Russell- Boooooo!” one person wrote. Others echoed similar reactions, posting: “Oh my god. How disappointing. Bye Kurt Russell.” and “Kurt Russell?! Oh I am so disappointed.” Another added, ” So disappointed in Kurt Russell .. ”
Other comments leaned more toward shock than anger. “Omg, I am devastated. Never seen this coming,” one person wrote, while another posted, “Noooooooooo!!! A new level of sadness has been attained. Not Kurt!”
A few viewers even joked that it would affect their holiday viewing habits. “I had Christmas Chronicles queued up for the grandkids. Program change!! So disappointed,” one person wrote. Another added, “Noooooo! Not KR, now I can’t even watch Christmas Chronicles with my kids!!” and another posted, “Goddammit Kurt. Now I can’t watch your Christmas movies!”
Not everyone read the moment the same way. At least one person suggested Russell was simply showing up for a longtime friend: “I am reading that Kurt is good friends with Stallone and he’s there to support him. I can’t find anything that says that he and Goldie are MAGA.”
And for some, the tribute itself stood out regardless of the surrounding debate. “We’ve watched maybe two awards shows over the last decade, but are watching the Kennedy Center Awards tonight. I don’t know that anyone has ever given a better intro than did Kurt Russell for Sylvester Stallone,” one person posted on X. Others called the moment “epic” and “really wonderful.”
