Donald Trump is turning the Kennedy Center Honors into pure spectacle this year – and he’s made sure the honoree list mirrors his own brand of larger-than-life showmanship.
The president personally unveiled a lineup that could double as a red carpet for middle America’s biggest entertainment heroes: “Rocky” icon Sylvester Stallone, disco legend Gloria Gaynor, Broadway’s Michael Crawford, country king George Strait, and glam rock giants KISS.
It’s an unmistakably populist slate, light on the kind of “high art” some expect from the Kennedy Center, and heavy on mainstream cultural impact. And that’s exactly the point. Trump admitted to being “98 percent involved” in the selection process, proudly turning down artists he deemed “too woke” and emphasizing that these honorees, in his view, reflect real American culture. His critics call it cultural warfare. Trump calls it taking the institution back from liberal elites.
Traditionally, presidents keep a light hand on Kennedy Center selections, leaving the decisions to a bipartisan panel of arts insiders. Trump, though, is producing this year’s gala himself – even planning to host the televised show. White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles may have suggested it, but the president clearly needed little convincing.
For Trump’s supporters, this is another victory in his long-running fight against what they see as decades of ideological capture of American arts and entertainment. For critics, it’s yet another example of his politicizing a national cultural stage, much like his efforts to shape Smithsonian exhibits, university curricula, and even professional sports discourse.
The honorees themselves each reflect a piece of Trump’s public persona. Stallone’s gritty underdog characters, like Rocky Balboa and John Rambo, stand against political correctness – a quality Trump openly admires. Strait, with his traditional country sound and “King of Country” title, embodies rural American appeal. Crawford, famous for “Phantom of the Opera” and as showman P.T. Barnum, evokes the mix of business bravado and theatricality Trump thrives on. KISS, with their over-the-top stagecraft and platinum-selling career, match his taste for spectacle. And Gaynor’s anthem “I Will Survive” might as well be Trump’s personal soundtrack, given his ability to weather political and personal storms.
Trump knows the risks of politicizing the Kennedy Center Honors – he even joked that people would blame him if it went “down the tubes” like the Academy Awards, which he claims were ruined by politics. But his calculation is that making it “our kind of political” will only boost its popularity among his base. The move fits neatly into his broader strategy of reshaping Washington institutions to fit the “Make America Great Again” vision.
For his critics, the picture is more troubling. This year’s honorees may be stars in their own right, but the process is now a case study in how Trump wields cultural power. They see it as part of a wider campaign to dominate not just politics, but the stories, symbols, and shared moments that define American identity. For his fans, it’s proof that he’s the ultimate showrunner – turning even the Kennedy Center into another stage for the Trump brand.
As the December gala approaches, one thing is clear: whether you love him or hate him, Trump has made sure the 2025 Kennedy Center Honors will be anything but business as usual. And in true Trump fashion, he’s not just attending – he’s running the show.
Jamie Wells has a knack for getting the inside scoop on Hollywood’s biggest stars and up-and-coming talent. With a sharp eye for industry trends and an ear for viral moments, Jamie covers everything from red-carpet events to behind-the-scenes drama in movies, TV, and celebrity culture.
