President Donald Trump’s sweeping transformation of the Kennedy Center has encountered resistance from performers and industry figures, even as he announced his personally selected honorees and positioned himself to host the prestigious December ceremony.
On Wednesday, Trump visited the Kennedy Center to reveal the 2025 honorees: country music legend George Strait, actor Sylvester Stallone, rock band KISS, English actor Michael Crawford, and disco singer Gloria Gaynor. Trump indicated he was deeply involved in the selection process, personally approving each honoree while rejecting others he deemed unsuitable.
However, the announcement revealed cracks in Trump’s cultural makeover. Tom Cruise reportedly declined an invitation to receive the honor, citing scheduling conflicts, according to multiple Kennedy Center employees who spoke to The Washington Post. The rejection highlights the challenges Trump faces in securing A-list participation for his revamped version of the traditionally bipartisan celebration.
The president broke with decades of tradition in February by ousting Biden-era trustees and installing himself as chairman of the Kennedy Center board. Since assuming control, Trump has promised to eliminate what he calls “woke” programming and restore the center to what he views as its proper cultural mission.
Trump’s cultural overhaul extends beyond performer selection. The administration has contacted Tiffany & Co. about designing new medals to replace the distinctive rainbow-and-gold medallions that have been handcrafted by the Baturin family since 1978. James and Mila Baturin learned in early August that their nearly five-decade partnership with the Kennedy Center had ended, having received a letter stating that the institution was “transitioning to a new partnership for the creation of the Honors medallions.”
The changes have sparked criticism and boycotts. Some performers and tours have canceled Kennedy Center appearances in protest, while major artistic partners have resigned their advisory roles. Events including World Pride programming were curtailed before opening night.
Trump’s nominees themselves reflect mixed political allegiances. KISS founding members hold varying views on the president, with bassist Gene Simmons evolving from supporter to critic, guitarist Paul Stanley previously calling Trump’s post-election efforts “abhorrent,” and Ace Frehley publicly backing Trump. Stallone, whom Trump appointed as a special envoy to Hollywood, previously compared the president to George Washington at a Mar-a-Lago celebration.
The selection of Gloria Gaynor drew particular scrutiny. CNN pundit Tia Mitchell suggested Gaynor was chosen primarily for diversity considerations, describing the disco legend as “basically a one-hit wonder” compared to typical Kennedy Center honorees. White House Communications Director Steven Cheung responded sharply on social media, defending Gaynor as a “legendary singer” and accusing Mitchell of suggesting Gaynor was “only chosen because she’s Black.”
Ana Navarro of “The View” publicly encouraged Gaynor to decline the honor, writing on social media that while Gaynor “deserves all the flowers that come her way,” she should not accept an award from someone who has “attacked the rights and history of women, people of color, and LGBTQ” individuals.
Trump announced he would host the December ceremony himself, a departure from previous years when celebrities served as emcees. The president initially expressed reluctance but indicated he was persuaded by Kennedy Center officials. Trump stated, “I turned down plenty. They were too woke.”
The cultural transformation extends beyond the Kennedy Center. The White House confirmed it is conducting reviews of Smithsonian museum exhibitions to ensure alignment with Trump’s interpretation of American history ahead of the nation’s 250th anniversary celebrations.
Kennedy Center Honors executive producer Matthew Winer announced his resignation following the honoree announcement, adding to the institutional disruption. House Republicans have proposed legislation that would rename the Kennedy Center the Donald J. Trump Center for the Performing Arts, though such a change could potentially violate the law that originally created the institution as a memorial to President John F. Kennedy.
The ceremony, traditionally aired on CBS, represents one of the Kennedy Center’s most significant annual events. Trump’s hosting role and his handpicked honorees will test whether his cultural vision can attract the viewership and prestige that have historically defined the awards.
