President Donald Trump stepped into the spotlight today, unveiling the lineup for the 2025 Kennedy Center Honors with a flourish. The announcement came at 9:00 AM EST on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, inside the grand halls of the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. The names he dropped KISS, Sylvester Stallone, George Strait, Gloria Gaynor, and Michael Crawford sent a ripple through the arts community, marking his first big move as the center’s chairman. The event drew a crowd of reporters and fans, all eager to hear who’d take the stage this year.
Trump took the podium with his usual energy, rattling off the honorees with a mix of pride and flair. KISS, the iconic rock band known for their wild stage antics, topped the list, followed by Sylvester Stallone, the action star who brought Rocky to life. George Strait, a country music legend, joined them, alongside Gloria Gaynor, the disco queen behind “I Will Survive,” and Michael Crawford, the British actor who dazzled as the Phantom of the Opera. That said, the choices raised a few eyebrows, given Trump’s hands-on role in shaping the program. For now, the focus is on the ceremony set for December.
The Kennedy Center Honors, a tradition celebrating lifetime achievement in the arts, got a new twist under Trump’s leadership. He’s been in charge since early this year, shaking up the board and steering the ship himself. Today’s reveal came after months of speculation, with Trump hinting at a fresh direction for the awards. In turn, the selection process stirred chatter normally a bipartisan committee handles the picks, but this time, Trump’s stamp was all over it. The ceremony, slated for December 8, will be his to host, a departure from his first term when he skipped the event amid artist protests.
Here’s the lineup at a glance:
- KISS: The rock band with a flair for the dramatic.
- Sylvester Stallone: The actor behind Rocky and Rambo.
- George Strait: A towering figure in country music.
- Gloria Gaynor: The voice of disco’s enduring hit.
- Michael Crawford: A stage icon from Phantom fame.
The announcement wasn’t just about names. Trump tied it to his vision for the Kennedy Center, promising a revival of its “luxury, glamour, and entertainment.” He’s been vocal about the place needing a lift, calling it rundown during a March visit. Renovations are underway, and today’s event hinted at a bigger reveal to come. At the same time, the center’s social media buzzed with excitement, crediting Trump’s “advocacy” for the push to restore its grandeur. The honorees, a mix of rock, film, country, and theater, reflect a broad sweep of American culture or at least Trump’s take on it.
The backdrop to this reveal carries some weight. Trump’s takeover of the Kennedy Center earlier this year saw him fire the old board and install loyalists, a move that ruffled feathers. Artists like the Hamilton producers and Issa Rae pulled out of future events in protest, and the center’s rainbow lights switched to red, white, and blue in April. In a Truth Social post yesterday, Trump even toyed with renaming it the “Trump/Kennedy Center,” though he quickly backtracked with a laugh. Moving forward, the December gala could either heal some wounds or widen the divide, depending on who shows up.
KISS hasn’t played together since their 2014 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction, so a reunion might be in store. Stallone, a known Trump supporter, has praised him publicly, calling him a “mythical character” last year. Strait keeps his politics quiet, but his fans roared for Trump’s dance move at a 2024 show. Gaynor and Crawford, less vocal on the political stage, bring their own legacies to the mix. For now, the buzz is building, with CBS set to air the event date still pending.
This news comes from the morning’s events at the Kennedy Center, a solid beat for such updates. The story’s just kicking off, with months to go before the gala. Trump’s picks have set the table, and the arts world is watching to see how it all plays out. Whether it’s a rockapalooza or a quiet tribute, December promises to be a night to remember.
