For decades, the Kennedy Center Honors have stood as one of America’s most prestigious cultural tributes, with presidents and artists alike gathering in Washington, D.C. each December to celebrate the country’s greatest performers. But this year, the tradition has taken a dramatic turn—one that’s as much about politics as it is about the arts.
On August 13, 2025, President Donald Trump announced the recipients of the 48th Kennedy Center Honors, putting his unmistakable stamp on the process. According to the Associated Press, Trump, newly installed as chairman of the Kennedy Center after replacing its board of trustees with his own loyalists, unveiled the honorees at a press conference surrounded by American flags and red-draped photo stands. The list reads like a who’s who of American pop culture: country star George Strait, “Rocky” actor Sylvester Stallone, disco icon Gloria Gaynor, the glam rock band Kiss, and Broadway legend Michael Crawford.
Trump’s involvement hasn’t just been ceremonial. As he told reporters, “I was about 98% involved” in choosing the honorees, a break from the tradition of a bipartisan advisory committee making recommendations. The president also announced he would personally host the December ceremony—something he hadn’t done in his first term, when he famously skipped the event altogether. “Since 1978, the Kennedy Center honors have been among the most prestigious awards in the performing arts. I wanted one, was never able to get one,” Trump quipped, adding with a grin, “I would have taken it. I waited and waited and waited and I said ‘to hell with it, I’ll become chairman.’ I will give myself an honor. Next year we’ll honor Trump, okay?” (Syracuse.com).
The selection itself has not been without controversy. Trump’s choices reflect both his personal tastes and political alliances. Sylvester Stallone, for instance, has been a vocal supporter, once calling Trump “the second George Washington” and serving as one of the president’s “special ambassadors” to Hollywood, alongside Jon Voight and Mel Gibson (Comic Basics). Meanwhile, Ace Frehley, founding member of Kiss, endorsed Trump in 2020, calling him “the strongest leader we’ve got.” Yet not all honorees are fans. Paul Stanley of Kiss has publicly criticized Trump, especially regarding the 2020 election, tweeting, “After numerous audits, debunked claims of rampant voter tampering, dead people voting & the countless cases thrown out by Trump appointed judges & others … When is not getting the hoped for result accepted?? Biden won.”
The Kennedy Center’s new direction has also drawn criticism from the broader arts community. In March, the producers of “Hamilton” pulled out of a planned 2026 staging at the Kennedy Center, citing what they called Trump’s “aggressive takeover” of the institution. Even the naming of the venue has become a political football: Trump has suggested renaming the site the Trump/Kennedy Center, while House Republicans have proposed renaming its Opera House after First Lady Melania Trump. Maria Shriver, a niece of JFK and a Democrat, called the idea of renaming the entire center after Trump “insane” (Associated Press).
Among the honorees, reactions have ranged from gratitude to silence. The four original members of Kiss—Gene Simmons, Ace Frehley, Paul Stanley, and Peter Criss—will attend the ceremony. SiriusXM radio host Eddie Trunk reported, “It is original band only and all have agreed to attend. So we will have all 4 in the same room once again! They do not play. More TBA.” Peter Criss told TMZ, “I feel so blessed. This is the greatest honor of our career.” Paul Stanley, speaking through a band publicist, echoed the sentiment: “The prestige of the 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.”
Yet the event will not be without its absences. Tom Cruise, one of Hollywood’s biggest stars and a Syracuse native, declined an invitation to be honored this year, citing “scheduling conflicts,” according to The Washington Post. Cruise, who has typically avoided politics, has not commented publicly on the decision. The Syracuse.com report noted that Cruise is set to receive an honorary Oscar for his lifetime achievements in November and is busy with upcoming projects, including a SpaceX movie and sequels to “Top Gun” and “Edge of Tomorrow.”
Another honoree, disco legend Gloria Gaynor, has found herself at the center of a political storm. Her 1979 hit “I Will Survive” is an anthem for the LGBTQ community and breast-cancer survivors, and she’s long been celebrated for her message of resilience. But not everyone is happy to see her accept an award from Trump. Ana Navarro, co-host of The View, urged Gaynor to reject the honor, saying, “But I wish she wouldn’t accept an award from the hands of a man who has attacked the rights and history of women, people of color and LGBTQ (people).” Social media fans echoed the sentiment, with one commenting, “You have a choice to either stand up to fascism and hate against marginalized communities, or sell out and go to the Kennedy awards by the very man selling us out.”
Gaynor herself has been circumspect. She shared news of the honor on X (formerly Twitter) but later deactivated her account, and has not commented further. As Asbury Park Press reported, Gaynor recently released an EP titled “Happy Tears” and reflected, “I’ve had my ups and downs. I’ve had to sing 'I Will Survive' a few times to myself. We all go through things, that’s why the song is so popular because we all go through things that we think are insurmountable and we hope we will survive. God has been good and I’m in a great place right now.”
The Kennedy Center Honors were established in 1978 and have, until now, been a largely bipartisan affair, with presidents from both parties attending and honoring a wide range of artists. This year, however, marks a departure, with Trump’s personal involvement and political motivations front and center. The ceremony is set for December 7, 2025, and will air on CBS and stream on Paramount+ (Associated Press).
As the date approaches, the spotlight isn’t just on the honorees, but on the future of the Kennedy Center itself. Trump’s overhaul has sparked debate about the role of politics in cultural institutions and the meaning of recognition in a deeply divided America. Whether the event will be remembered for its celebration of artistic achievement or as a symbol of a new, more contentious era remains to be seen.
For now, one thing is certain: The Kennedy Center Honors, once a symbol of unity through the arts, have become a stage for the nation’s ongoing cultural and political battles.
