In a significant departure from tradition, US President Donald Trump personally welcomed and presented medals to the distinguished group of 2025 Kennedy Center honorees in the Oval Office on Saturday evening. This pre-ceremony event sets the stage for a weekend where the President himself will host the main awards programme, a first in the history of the prestigious honours.
A Star-Studded Gathering in the Oval Office
President Trump expressed his delight at hosting what he called "the most accomplished and renowned class of Kennedy Center honorees ever assembled." The ceremony saw a glittering array of talent from the entertainment world receive their medallions. This year's recipients include legendary actor Sylvester Stallone, disco icon Gloria Gaynor, country music king George Strait, the iconic rock band Kiss, and acclaimed actor-singer Michael Crawford.
The President highlighted the honorees' role in inspiring and unifying millions of Americans. He also drew attention to the newly "re-designed" medallions crafted by luxury jeweller Tiffany & Co., noting his long-standing familiarity with the brand due to its proximity to Trump Tower.
Trump's Renewed Focus on the Kennedy Center
This event marks a notable shift in President Trump's engagement with the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Unlike his first term, where he did not visit the centre or participate in its awards, his second term has seen active involvement. Since returning to office, he has replaced the Kennedy Center's board of trustees with his supporters and appointed Richard Grenell, who also serves as a special envoy to Latin America, as its president in February.
President Trump has pledged a "full renovation" of the centre's infrastructure, aiming to transform it into a "crown jewel" of American arts and culture. The selection process for this year's honorees, while not fully transparent, saw Trump claim in August that he was "about 98% involved" in curating the list.
Setting the Stage for a Presidential Hosting Debut
The main Kennedy Center Honors tribute performances are scheduled to be taped on Sunday for a December broadcast. Breaking another precedent, President Trump confirmed he would host the show. During Saturday's medal ceremony, he set expectations sky-high, predicting, "this will be the highest-rated show that they've ever done."
He acknowledged the novelty of a President hosting the awards, quipping, "We never had a president hosting the awards before, this is a first." In a sharp critique, he compared his upcoming performance to previous hosts, specifically calling comedian Jimmy Kimmel "horrible." Trump added, "If I can't beat out Jimmy Kimmel in terms of talent, then I don't think I should be President."
With the medals presented and the stage set, all eyes are now on Sunday's taping. President Trump's deep personal investment in this year's honours signals a new chapter for the institution, one tightly interwoven with his vision for American cultural prominence.
