The 2025 Kennedy Center Honors will look very different this year.
Back in February, President Donald Trump removed 18 members of the Kennedy Center’s board and replaced them with allies. Soon after, the new board elected him chairman.
On August 13, 2025, Trump announced the honorees: actor Sylvester Stallone, singer Michael Crawford, disco legend Gloria Gaynor, rock band KISS, and country star George Strait.
“They all went through me,” Trump said, adding that he rejected others who he felt were “too woke.”
The Kennedy Center Honors, held at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, celebrates artists for their lifetime contributions to American culture in music, dance, theater, opera, film, and television. This year, Trump confirmed he will host the ceremony himself.
Trump’s Role with the Kennedy Center
Trump’s control of the Kennedy Center began in February 2025, when he pushed to become chairman. After reshaping the board, he added new members including Usha Vance (wife of Vice President JD Vance) and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, according to NPR.
The Kennedy Center noted that while the law allows a new administration to replace board members, this was the first time it had ever happened.
On Feb. 12, 2025, Trump was officially elected chair. Days before the vote, he said:
“We don’t need woke at the Kennedy Center … Some of the shows were terrible. They were a disgrace.”
When asked if he had ever attended a show there, he admitted, “No.”
In June 2025, Trump and former First Lady Melania Trump went to their first show at the Kennedy Center — the opening night of Les Misérables. The couple was booed by the audience.
Meanwhile, Republicans have introduced a bill to rename the center the Donald J. Trump Center for Performing Arts and rename the opera house after Melania Trump. But Jack Schlossberg, President John F. Kennedy’s grandson, argued this would break federal law.
Resignations and Firings
Trump’s changes led to several resignations.
- Ben Folds stepped down as artistic director of the National Symphony Orchestra.
- Renée Fleming resigned as artistic adviser at large.
- Shonda Rhimes left her position as treasurer.
Trump also fired former Kennedy Center president Deborah Rutter, and David M. Rubenstein was replaced as board chairman.
In a statement to NPR, Rutter said:
“Artistic expression must be nurtured, prioritized, and protected. There is no clearer sign of democracy at work than our artists and their audiences.”
Who Will Be Honored in 2025?
This year’s honorees are Sylvester Stallone, Michael Crawford, Gloria Gaynor, KISS, and George Strait.
Trump said he was “about 98 percent involved” in the selection. He also joked about giving himself an award:
“I waited and waited and never got one. I said, ‘The hell with it. I’ll become chairman.’ Maybe next year we’ll honor Trump.”
His pick of KISS surprised many. Band members Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons had previously criticized Trump, but both later told TMZ they were “deeply honored” to be chosen.
Who Declined the Honor?
Trump reportedly invited Tom Cruise to receive an honor, but the actor declined due to “scheduling conflicts,” according to The Washington Post.
Cruise’s representatives did not comment further.
Hosting and Broadcast Details
Trump confirmed he will host the event himself, saying:
“I didn’t want to do it … but I think it will be quite successful.”
- Date: December 7, 2025
- Location: John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, D.C.
- Broadcast: The event will air on CBS and stream on Paramount+.
