While Sylvester Stallone and Other Stars Receive Kennedy Center Honors, Donald Trump Unexpectedly Steals the Spotlight

The 2025 Kennedy Center Honors delivered a night filled with glamour, nostalgia, and controversy as President Donald Trump took center stage to host the ceremony—marking the first time a U.S. president has conducted the event from the stage instead of observing from the traditional Opera House box. Among those celebrated were cultural giants Gloria Gaynor, Sylvester Stallone, and rock legends Kiss.

Since returning to office in January, Trump has repeatedly criticized what he labels “woke, anti-American culture,” often highlighting the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts—named after a Democratic president—as a symbol of the cultural establishment he aims to challenge.

Asked how he prepared for hosting duties, Trump shrugged off the question, saying he “didn’t really prepare very much.” He added, “It’s fortunate that I have a good memory. I just want to be myself. Johnny Carson was simply himself—and that’s the key.”

Trump announced in August that he agreed to host the program. Speaking at a State Department dinner for honorees the night before the ceremony, he hinted that a “certain television network” requested him to take the role. He predicted massive viewership when the broadcast airs on CBS and Paramount+ on December 23.

His appearance replaces the customary hosting roles once held by prominent figures like journalist Walter Cronkite and comedian Stephen Colbert—one of Trump’s long-standing critics. Notably, Trump avoided attending the Honors entirely during his first presidential term.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, attending with his wife, expressed enthusiasm about Trump’s appearance. “This president is so relaxed in front of cameras and so funny. I can’t wait for tonight,” he said.

Since 1978, the Kennedy Center Honors have celebrated individuals whose artistic achievements have shaped American culture. This year’s honorees reflect a diverse mix of film, music, and theatrical excellence: Stallone for his iconic “Rocky” and “Rambo” franchises; Gaynor for her feminist anthem “I Will Survive”; and Kiss for their explosive performances and flamboyant stage personas. Also recognized were Tony Award–winning actor Michael Crawford and country music icon George Strait.

For Kiss members, the evening carried emotional weight following the October death of original lead guitarist Ace Frehley after a tragic fall. Band co-founder Gene Simmons revealed that Trump personally assured him an empty chair would be placed on stage to honor Frehley’s memory.

Stallone described the evening as feeling like being in the “eye of a hurricane,” noting, “This is an incredible event. You’re in the middle of it, humbled by it, but it’s hard to process until later.”

Crawford called the recognition “humbling, especially at the end of a career,” while Gaynor said the honor “feels like a dream,” adding, “To be recognized this way is the pinnacle.”

Gospel artist Mike Farris, performing in tribute to Gaynor, praised her resilience: “She really did survive. That song is a classic for a reason.”

Actor Neil McDonough, who helped present Stallone’s award, said Stallone deserved the recognition long ago, praising him not only as a creator but as a person. “Sly is one of the best guys I’ve ever met,” he said.

Over the decades, the Honors have celebrated leaders in dance, theater, film, and music—from Martha Graham and Merce Cunningham to Stephen Sondheim, Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks, Bob Dylan, and Joni Mitchell.

Trump Tightens His Grip Over the Kennedy Center

Trump’s presence at the ceremony underscores his ongoing efforts to reshape the Kennedy Center. By replacing senior leadership and appointing Republican loyalists to the board of trustees—who then elected him chair—Trump disrupted the long-standing tradition of bipartisan stewardship.

He has openly criticized the center’s artistic direction, questioned its architectural design, and even joked about renaming it the “Trump Kennedy Center.” Meanwhile, he successfully pushed congress to allocate nearly $250 million for facility upgrades.

Presidential clashes with artists over politics are nothing new. Ronald Reagan honored left-leaning playwright Arthur Miller, while Bill Clinton celebrated actor Charlton Heston despite their ideological differences. However, Trump’s relationship with the arts community has been particularly fractious. During his first term, several honorees publicly rebuked him. In 2017, producer Norman Lear threatened to boycott the ceremony if Trump appeared—leading Trump to skip the event altogether that year.

Trump claims he played an active role in selecting the 2025 honorees, rejecting several candidates he deemed “too woke.” Stallone, a longtime Trump ally and one of his informal “Hollywood ambassadors,” has previously compared Trump to George Washington. The political views of the other honorees, however, remain less clear.

How the Honorees View Trump

Federal Election Commission filings reveal that Gaynor has donated to Republican causes in recent years, though neither she nor George Strait has spoken publicly about their political beliefs.

Gene Simmons was initially supportive of Trump during the 2016 campaign. But in a 2022 interview with Spin magazine, he criticized Trump, saying the former president was “out for himself” and condemned his promotion of racist rhetoric and conspiracy theories.

Paul Stanley of Kiss was even more outspoken, calling the January 6, 2021 U.S. Capitol attackers “terrorists” and denouncing Trump’s attempts to overturn the 2020 election. Yet, after Trump’s 2024 victory, Stanley urged supporters of both parties to embrace unity.

“If your candidate lost, it’s time to learn from it and understand why,” Stanley wrote on X. “If your candidate won, remember that people who disagree with you also believe they’re right and love this country just as much.”