Trump Pays Tribute to Sylvester Stallone and Kiss at a Ceremony - Trump Recognizes Sylvester Stallone and Kiss with Honors
Trump Takes Center Stage at the Kennedy Center Honors
In a move that has stirred controversy and divided opinions, US President Donald Trump has announced his involvement in this year's Kennedy Center Honors, a prestigious event that recognizes lifetime contributions to American culture in the performing arts.
The Kennedy Center, located in Washington D.C., has confirmed they are "honored" to host Trump, expressing gratitude for his support in the renovation plans. However, not everyone is pleased with the changes. Shonda Rhimes and Reneé Fleming have resigned in protest, while Issa Rae has canceled her sold-out one-man show in protest of the changes at the Kennedy Center.
The nominations for this year's honorees were made following the dismissal of 18 board members appointed by Joe Biden in February by the Trump administration. The dismissed board members were replaced by Trump allies, including Susie Wiles, chief of staff, and Usha Vance, wife of Vice President JD Vance.
The 2025 class of honorees reflects some political implications. Sylvester Stallone, a vocal Trump supporter, is among the recipients, as is Ace Frehley of Kiss, who endorsed Trump in 2020. However, Paul Stanley of Kiss openly criticized Trump's post-2020 election claims, illustrating some internal division even among those associated with the Honors.
Trump has promised to elevate the Kennedy Center Honors "to a higher level than it has ever reached." He claims to be "98% involved" in selecting the honorees, turning down plenty, and emphasizing that the choices were personal and meant to avoid politicizing the awards.
The Kennedy Center Honors, established in 1978 by George Stevens Jr. and collaborators, traditionally honors performers and artists from a wide array of artistic disciplines and political affiliations. The ceremony usually takes place in December in Washington and is broadcast on CBS.
Trump will be hosting and producing the traditional ceremony for the first time. The musical "Hamilton" has canceled its planned performances at the Kennedy Center in response to the changes. The renovations are planned to be completed in time for the 250th anniversary of the US next year, aiming to make the Kennedy Center a "crown jewel" of American arts and culture.
The Kennedy Center Honors remain a prestigious but also politically sensitive event, with Trump’s involvement marking a significant break from tradition and sparking discussion about the interplay of politics and the arts in this historic American institution.
- Sylvester Stallone, a vocal Trump supporter, and Ace Frehley of Kiss, who endorsed Trump in 2020, are among the 2025 recipients of the Kennedy Center Honors, but Paul Stanley of Kiss, who openly criticized Trump's post-2020 election claims, illustrates an internal division among the honorees.
- The musical "Hamilton" has canceled its planned performances at the Kennedy Center in response to the changes brought about by Trump's involvement, raising questions about the role of entertainment, celebrities, politics, and general-news in shaping the prestigious award ceremony.
