In a surprising twist to the Kennedy Center Honors, Donald Trump is stepping into the spotlight as host this Sunday. This year’s honorees include legendary figures like Sylvester Stallone, the iconic rock band Kiss, and singing sensation Gloria Gaynor. This marks the first time a sitting president has hosted the event instead of just watching from a VIP box at the opera house.
Since returning to the White House earlier this year, Trump has indicated his support for the Kennedy Center—originally named after President John F. Kennedy. This backs his criticisms of what he refers to as “woke” American culture. Back in August, he accepted the role of host and shared with guests at a State Department dinner that a certain TV network prompted his participation. He’s already making predictions that the upcoming broadcast on December 23rd will achieve record ratings.
During the event, Trump confidently stated, “I’m predicting this will be the highest-rated show ever, and believe me, they’ve had some big hits in the past, but nothing like what’s going to happen Sunday night!”
Historically, the role of host has been filled by respected figures such as journalist Walter Cronkite and comedian Stephen Colbert. In a contrast to his usual passive viewing experience in the past, Trump opted out of the honors during his previous term.
The Kennedy Center Honors has celebrated the achievements of dazzling performers since 1978. This year’s lineup stands out with notable pop figures: Stallone is honored for his legendary films “Rocky” and “Rambo,” Gaynor for her inspirational hit “I Will Survive,” and Kiss for their extravagant performances loaded with theatrics. Also in the spotlight are country icon George Strait and celebrated actor Michael Crawford.
The ceremony will hold heightened emotion for the members of Kiss, as they remember their original lead guitarist, Ace Frehley, who passed away recently after an accident. Band co-founder Gene Simmons remarked on the red carpet that Trump promised them an empty chair for Frehley in tribute.
Crawford expressed his gratitude, stating it’s a “beautiful honor” and said it’s humbling at this stage of his career.
Singer Mike Farris, who is set to perform for Gaynor, praised her strength saying, “She truly survived; what an iconic song!”
Over the years, the Kennedy Center Honors have recognized figures from diverse fields of art—including dance (like Martha Graham), theater (such as Stephen Sondheim), film (with stars like Meryl Streep), and music (like Bob Dylan).
Trump’s Influence on the Honors
Trump has shaken things up at the Kennedy Center, breaking a long-standing tradition of bipartisan support by restructuring its leadership to favor Republican allies. He’s been critical of both the center’s operations and its look, even humorously joking about renaming it the “Trump Kennedy Center.” He managed to secure over $250 million in funding from Congress for renovations too.
Throughout the years, presidents from both parties have mingled with artists holding diverging views. For instance, Republican president Ronald Reagan was there to celebrate left-leaning playwright Arthur Miller, while Democrat Bill Clinton honored actor and gun advocate Charlton Heston. In Trump’s first term, several honorees were vocal against him, with Norman Lear notably suggesting he would skip the event if Trump attended, leading Trump to steer clear entirely.
Now, Trump claims to have had a substantial role in selecting this year’s honorees, rejecting some for being “too woke.” With Stallone seen as one of Trump’s “Hollywood ambassadors” who supports him, it’s still a bit blurry what the political stances of the rest of Sunday’s attendees might be.
Opinions of Honorees on Trump
While Strait and Gaynor have mostly kept quiet on their political affiliations, reports show that Gaynor has recently donated to Republican parties.
Earlier on, Simmons voiced support for Trump back in 2016. But later, in 2022, he criticized Trump, saying he was “out for himself” and disapproved of his promotion of conspiracy theories and racism. Meanwhile, fellow Kiss member, Paul Stanley, has taken a strong stance against Trump’s attempts to reverse his 2020 loss to Joe Biden, labeling the Capitol rioters ‘terrorists.’ Following the 2024 election, Stanley appealed to his followers for unity.
“If your candidate lost, it’s time to learn and accept it while trying to understand the reasons,” Stanley wrote on X. “If your candidate won, remember that those who don’t share your views also love this country and believe they’re right.”
