On August 14, 2025, President Donald Trump transformed the typically subdued announcement of the Kennedy Center Honors into a spectacle worthy of the nation’s top performing-arts-achievement awards. At the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., Trump—now serving as the center’s chairman—stood before five easels, each draped in dramatic red cloth. With the assistance of two women in high heels, reminiscent of ring girls from the president’s beloved UFC, he revealed the 48th annual honorees: Sylvester Stallone, glam-metal legends KISS, country music titan George Strait, disco icon Gloria Gaynor, and Broadway luminary Michael Crawford.
The Kennedy Center Honors, long considered the highlight of the capital’s cultural calendar, celebrate lifetime contributions to American performing arts. This year’s gala, set for December 7 and to be aired by CBS later that month, promises an evening of star-studded tributes and, perhaps, a touch more glitz than Washington typically sees. Trump himself will host the event, marking a notable shift from his first term, when he skipped the galas after a public snub from 2017 honoree Norman Lear.
The 2025 list, as reported by The New York Post and corroborated by Yahoo News, reflects a broad sweep of American culture—much like those selected under Democratic presidents such as Barack Obama. Critics from the left, however, have not been shy about voicing their displeasure. CNN’s Stephen Collinson remarked that the lineup was "more populist than ‘high’ culture," while The New York Times ran the headline, "At the Kennedy Center, Trump Puts His Pop Culture Obsession on Display." Still, the honorees’ achievements are anything but trivial.
Leading the group is George Strait, the undisputed king of country music. Over a forty-year career, Strait has amassed 60 number-one hits and 33 platinum albums—more than any other living American artist. He has sold over 120 million records worldwide and remains the only artist to have Top 10 hits spanning more than three decades. Beyond his musical accomplishments, Strait’s philanthropy stands out; his foundation, created in memory of his late daughter, has provided 127 mortgage-free homes to wounded veterans and raised millions for military and children’s causes. As Yahoo News put it, "Strait leads the group as country music’s undisputed king."
Broadway legend Michael Crawford is another honoree whose influence can’t be overstated. He originated the title role in The Phantom of the Opera, a performance that earned him a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical and helped redefine modern musical theater. The British performer’s 1967 Broadway debut launched a career that would leave an indelible mark on the stage, with his Phantom role remaining one of Broadway’s most iconic to this day. According to The New York Post, "Michael Crawford originated the title role of ‘The Phantom of the Opera,’ which Andrew Lloyd Webber wrote for his then-wife, classical soprano Sarah Brightman."
Hollywood’s quintessential action star, Sylvester Stallone, also joins the ranks. Over six decades, Stallone’s films have grossed more than $7.5 billion worldwide. He’s earned three Oscar nominations and a Golden Globe, with characters like Rocky Balboa and John Rambo embodying perseverance against impossible odds. As Yahoo News recounted, "His roles cemented Stallone as Hollywood’s quintessential action star."
Disco legend Gloria Gaynor is celebrated for her enduring anthem of resilience, "I Will Survive." The 1978 hit earned her a Grammy in 1980 and was inducted into the National Recording Registry in 2016. Demonstrating her vocal prowess across genres, Gaynor won a second Grammy in 2025 for her gospel album "Testimony." Her influence, as noted by Yahoo News, spans more than four decades and continues to inspire.
Then there’s KISS, the glam-metal band that turned rock concerts into theatrical spectacles. Formed in New York City in 1973 by Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Ace Frehley, and Peter Criss, KISS sold over 100 million records and earned 30 gold albums—an American record. Their induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame cemented their legacy as innovators who changed the face of live performance. As The New York Post observed, "KISS is an inspired choice—a great American story. Two Jewish New York kids whose families had fled the Holocaust... transformed concert touring itself."
The band’s reaction to the honor has been heartfelt. On August 16, KISS publicly expressed feeling "so blessed" to accept the Kennedy Center Honor from President Trump. Frontman Paul Stanley, who once called Trump "abhorrent" and "a true danger to our democracy," now proudly accepted the accolade. "From our earliest days, KISS has embodied the American ideal that all things are possible and that hard work pays off," Stanley told TMZ. "The prestige of this Kennedy Center Honors cannot be overstated and I accept this on behalf of the long legacy of KISS and all of the band members who helped create our iconic band." Gene Simmons echoed the sentiment, stating, "KISS is the embodiment of the American dream. We are deeply honored to receive the Kennedy Center Honor." Drummer Peter Criss called it "the greatest honour of our career," while Ace Frehley described the award as "a dream come true that I never thought would materialize."
The political backdrop to this year’s event has been impossible to ignore. Trump’s return to the Kennedy Center—after years of absence—has drawn fire from liberal commentators who bristle at his involvement in the arts. Seth Meyers, the late-night host, quipped, "You might be wondering why you haven’t heard much about important issues like inflation, health care or infrastructure lately, but there’s a very good reason: Donald Trump doesn’t care." Yet, as The New York Post pointed out, the list of honorees is not so different from those under Obama, who himself recognized a wide range of artists from Mel Brooks and Bruce Springsteen to LL Cool J.
For all the controversy, the Kennedy Center Honors remain a celebration of those whose work has defined genres and influenced generations. As the December gala approaches, anticipation builds—not just for the glitz and glamour, but for the recognition of artists whose legacies will endure long after the political dust has settled. Whether you’re a fan of country ballads, rock anthems, Broadway showstoppers, disco classics, or Hollywood blockbusters, this year’s honorees offer a reminder of the power and diversity of American culture.
In a city often divided by politics, the Kennedy Center Honors still manage to unite audiences in admiration for creative achievement, proving that the arts—much like the nation itself—are at their best when they embrace all voices.
