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In an unprecedented shift from tradition, President Donald Trump will take center stage as host of the Kennedy Center Honors on Sunday, marking the first time a sitting president has commanded the stage rather than watching from the customary Opera House box.
The annual ceremony will celebrate this year’s honorees: action star Sylvester Stallone, rock band Kiss, disco legend Gloria Gaynor, country music icon George Strait, and Tony Award-winning actor Michael Crawford. The event will air on CBS and Paramount+ on December 23.
Trump, who announced in August that he would host the ceremony, claimed at Saturday’s State Department dinner for the honorees that he agreed to do so “at the request of a certain television network.” With characteristic confidence, the President predicted record-breaking viewership for the broadcast.
“This will be the highest-rated show that they’ve ever done,” Trump declared at the dinner.
The hosting role has previously been filled by notable figures including journalist Walter Cronkite and comedian Stephen Colbert. Trump’s decision to take on this role represents a significant departure from presidential tradition dating back to 1978, when the Kennedy Center Honors were established to recognize artists for their contributions to American culture.
During his first term, Trump skipped the honors entirely, breaking with the longstanding custom of presidential attendance. His absence came after several honorees, including film producer Norman Lear, threatened to boycott the ceremony if Trump attended.
Since returning to office in January, Trump has targeted the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts as part of his broader criticism of what he calls “woke” anti-American culture. His administration has dramatically reshaped the institution by removing its leadership and appointing Republican supporters to the board of trustees, who subsequently elected Trump as chair.
Trump has been vocal about his involvement in selecting future honorees, claiming he rejected some recommendations for being “too woke.” He has also criticized the center’s programming and architecture, suggesting—perhaps jokingly—that he might rename it the “Trump Kennedy Center.” His administration has secured over $250 million from Congress for renovations to the facility.
This year’s ceremony carries particular emotional weight for Kiss members following the death of original lead guitarist Ace Frehley in October after a fall-related injury.
The political views of the 2024 honorees present an interesting dynamic. Stallone serves as one of Trump’s “Hollywood special ambassadors” and has compared him to George Washington. Federal Election Commission records show that Gaynor has contributed to Republican organizations in recent years, though she has said little publicly about her politics. Similarly, Strait has kept his political views largely private.
Kiss co-founders Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley have had more complex relationships with Trump. While Simmons spoke favorably of Trump during the 2016 campaign, he later criticized him in a 2022 Spin magazine interview, stating Trump was “out for himself” and condemning his role in promoting conspiracy theories and public expressions of racism.
Stanley denounced Trump’s attempts to overturn the 2020 election and described the January 6, 2021 Capitol rioters as “terrorists.” However, after Trump’s 2024 victory, Stanley called for national unity on social media.
The Kennedy Center Honors have historically bridged political divides, with presidents of both parties celebrating artists whose views may differ from their own. Republican Ronald Reagan honored playwright Arthur Miller, a champion of liberal causes, while Democrat Bill Clinton, who had signed an assault weapons ban, celebrated actor and gun rights advocate Charlton Heston.
As Trump takes his place as host rather than audience member, this year’s ceremony represents not just a celebration of artistic achievement but also a significant shift in the relationship between the presidency and one of America’s premier cultural institutions.
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11 Comments
The lineup of honorees seems eclectic – from action stars to rock icons to country legends. It will be fascinating to see how Trump recognizes such a diverse group of artists and entertainers.
I’m especially intrigued by the inclusion of Sylvester Stallone, given his longstanding relationship with Trump. This could make for an interesting dynamic during the ceremony.
Interesting to see the president hosting the Kennedy Center Honors this year. I’m curious to see how he handles the hosting duties and if the broadcast does indeed break ratings records as he claims.
The hosting role is usually left to other public figures, so it will be a departure from tradition. I wonder how the honorees and audience will respond to Trump taking the lead.
While Trump’s involvement is certainly unconventional, I hope the focus remains on celebrating the impressive accomplishments of this year’s Kennedy Center honorees. Their achievements in the arts deserve the spotlight.
The Kennedy Center Honors have long been seen as a prestigious accolade. I wonder how Trump’s involvement will impact the prestige and legacy of these awards moving forward.
It’s an interesting move for Trump to host the Kennedy Center Honors, breaking from tradition. I’m curious to see if his involvement leads to any controversies or disruptions during the event.
Regardless of one’s political views, the Kennedy Center Honors should remain focused on celebrating artistic excellence. I hope Trump can set aside his usual showmanship and approach the event with the respect it deserves.
You raise a good point. The honorees’ achievements should be the central focus, not any political theater. A respectful, dignified ceremony would be most appropriate.
Viewership records or not, I’m glad to see the Kennedy Center Honors continue recognizing such a diverse array of talent in the performing arts. These awards help elevate important cultural contributions.
It will be intriguing to see how Trump’s hosting style compares to past presenters. Hopefully he can strike the right tone to honor the recipients.