On December 7th, 2025 President Donald Trump hosted this year’s Kennedy Center Honors, making him the first current President to take on this role. The Kennedy Center Honors is a celebration of American artists and their lifetime achievements– whether this be through music, dance, opera, theater, film, or television. This year, President Trump’s appearance quickly caught the attention of the media; not only with his presence, but through his controversial jabs at members in the audience.
The lifetime honors were presented to five honorees: George Strait, known as the “King of Country” was honored for his authentic and memorable contributions to country music. Gloria Gaynor was another incredible artist who was recognized for her powerful and iconic disco pop hits such as “I Will Survive” and “The Eye of The Tiger.” These popular songs can be recognized anywhere, especially at Ramapo. Senior Emily Rolla says, “I can always recognize the song ‘I Will Survive,’ it’s so catchy!”
Sylvester Stallone was acknowledged for his incredible work as an actor– most popularly known for Rocky and Rambo. In President Trump’s words, Stallone is “one of the true, great movie stars” (ny1.com). Micheal Crawford was another honoree, most famously known for his role as the original Phantom in the hit Broadway musical The Phantom of the Opera (playbill.com). Senior Eva Mellas is familiar with the Phantom of the Opera and says, “ The music in the play is beautiful. Even though I have never seen it on Broadway, I’ve seen the movie a few times. It was great!”
His unique voice and stage presence earned his reputation as a “great star of broadway” in Trump’s words (ny1.com). The famous rock band KISS was also recognized at the ceremony. President Trump addressed all the Honorees as, “the greatest artists, actors and performers of their generation” (ny1.com). However, these comments of praise were quickly met with remarks of judgement from the President.
While praising these incredible artists, Trump addressed members of the audience saying, “I can say that with a lot of the members of our audience, I know so many of you and you are persistent,” Trump said, before jabbing that “many of you are miserable, horrible people” (people.com). Following this remark, Trump explained how he was “98%” involved in choosing the artists being honored at the event after he appointed himself chairman of the Kennedy Center in February (people.com). Trump also explained how he began restructuring the Kennedy Center in the beginning of the year. He pushed for being selected as a chairman of the center to “make sure it runs properly” (people.com). He continues, “We don’t need woke at the Kennedy Center” as he explains how some of the shows that were put on were horrible, and a disgrace. However, reports state that President Trump “stayed away” from the Kennedy Center during his first term (The Guardian). Prior to this year’s celebration, Trump had never even attended the Kennedy Center Honors.
The Kennedy Center Honors are known for being the most respectable lifetime recognition for arts in the country (The Guardian). Trump’s sudden takeovers and even remarks stating that he wishes to rename the celebration the “Trump-Kennedy Center” highlight his persistence to control and dominate America’s creative and cultural aspects.
