President Donald Trump made history on Sunday night as the first sitting or former president to host the Kennedy Center Honors, a long-running gala that celebrates significant contributions to the arts and American culture. The event was held at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., and included honorees such as actor Sylvester Stallone, rock band Kiss, country star George Strait, disco singer Gloria Gaynor, and Broadway legend Michael Crawford.
Trump arrived on the red carpet with First Lady Melania Trump. Both wore traditional black-tie attire. The President made headlines during the event for some of his lighthearted comments, including joking that he might nominate himself for the honor next year. He also suggested, jokingly, that the Kennedy Center might someday be named after him, calling it the “Trump-Kennedy Center” before quickly correcting himself and calling the remark “terribly embarrassing.” The audience reportedly laughed at the joke.
President Donald J. Trump and the First Lady arrive for the 48th Kennedy Center Honors, where he will take the stage as host. pic.twitter.com/Gz4f4J4GgQ
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) December 7, 2025
President Donald J. Trump and the First Lady arrive for the 48th Kennedy Center Honors, where he will take the stage as host. During the show, Trump took a moment to compliment the renovations currently underway at the center. He noted that over $250 million had been raised for improvements and promised that the building would be better than ever. He also said the night would be remembered as “the greatest evening in the history of the Kennedy Center.”
Trump used the stage to both praise the honorees and engage in his usual unscripted humor. He described Stallone as an action movie icon, Gaynor as a voice that “moved the world to dance,” and Crawford as one of Broadway’s brightest talents. He gave the highest praise to the band Kiss, saying they were “one of the greatest bands in the history of rock and roll.” He also paid tribute to original Kiss guitarist Ace Frehley, who passed away in October. Frehley’s daughter was in attendance.
Singer Gloria Gaynor refused to turn down President Trump’s Kennedy Center award and was viciously attacked by the Left.
Yesterday, she accepted the award & Trump called her “beautiful.”
The same Left that claims to empower women can’t stand it when they think for themselves. pic.twitter.com/jCBe0U9hik
— Danielle D’Souza Gill (@danielledsouzag) December 8, 2025
The president’s speech included jabs at critics and Hollywood figures who have opposed him in the past. He described some in the audience as “miserable, horrible people,” while also calling them “persistent.” The comments drew laughs from the room. He also made a pointed remark about late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, saying he was a “terrible host” and comparing him unfavorably to classic comedians like Johnny Carson and Bob Hope. Kimmel has never hosted the Kennedy Center Honors, but Trump’s comment appeared to be a broader critique of Kimmel’s style and past political jabs.
Presenter Trump jokes about hosting Sunday’s 48th Kennedy Center Honors:
Should Trump be considered for a Kennedy Center Honor?“If I can’t beat out Jimmy Kimmel in terms of talent, then I don’t think I should be President.”
Trump is leaps and bounds funnier than Kimmel. It’s not even worth comparing.pic.twitter.com/qCV0O8YmC7
— Paul A. Szypula
Trump said he was deeply involved in choosing this year’s honorees and had turned down several recommendations that he said were “too woke.” Stallone, who has publicly supported Trump in the past, has referred to him as a strong leader and even compared him to George Washington. Other honorees, such as Strait and Gaynor, have kept their political views mostly private. Gaynor has previously donated to Republican causes. Kiss member Gene Simmons once supported Trump during his 2016 campaign but later criticized him over his handling of certain issues, including the January 6 Capitol riot. Fellow Kiss member Paul Stanley also criticized Trump’s actions after the 2020 election.
“One of the true great movie stars…there used to be a lot, there aren’t many now.”
President Trump presents a Kennedy Center Honors Medal to Sylvester Stallone. pic.twitter.com/nTKiS07VjJ
— Fox News (@FoxNews) December 6, 2025
The Kennedy Center Honors, which began in 1978, have often seen political differences between presidents and the artists being recognized. In 2017, during Trump’s first term, several honorees openly criticized him, and Trump chose not to attend the event that year. This year marks a shift in tone, with Trump not only attending but serving as the event’s host.
Trump said the public will get to watch the event when it airs on CBS and Paramount+ on December 23. He predicted that the broadcast would be the “highest-rated show they’ve ever done.”
Trump also mentioned that the hosting opportunity came after a television network asked him to step in. While details about that request were not confirmed, the event appears to be another example of the former president’s efforts to remain in the spotlight — not just in politics, but in American cultural life as well.
The honorees each took time to speak on the red carpet. Stallone said the event felt like the “eye of a hurricane” and called the honor humbling. Crawford and Gaynor echoed that sentiment, with Gaynor saying it “feels like a dream.” Simmons shared that Trump had made sure to leave an empty seat for Frehley, a gesture that he said meant a lot.
