President Trump took center stage at the annual Kennedy Center Honors, marking a historic first for any sitting US president. Instead of watching from an Opera House box, he commanded the stage to present the 2025 honorees with their medals.
Trump called the group "perhaps the most accomplished and renowned class" ever assembled, acknowledging the impressive talent that has been recognized by the Kennedy Center Honors. The 2025 recipients include actor Sylvester Stallone, singers Gloria Gaynor and George Strait, rock band KISS, and actor-singer Michael Crawford.
The honorees were honored at a ceremony in the Oval Office on Saturday, which was attended by family members and loved ones of the recipients. This year's event marks a departure from the traditional format of the Kennedy Center Honors, with President Trump hosting the ceremony for the first time.
The show is set to air on December 23 on CBS and Paramount+. The honorees will also receive their awards at an upcoming gala event, which takes place later this month.
Trump called the group "perhaps the most accomplished and renowned class" ever assembled, acknowledging the impressive talent that has been recognized by the Kennedy Center Honors. The 2025 recipients include actor Sylvester Stallone, singers Gloria Gaynor and George Strait, rock band KISS, and actor-singer Michael Crawford.
The honorees were honored at a ceremony in the Oval Office on Saturday, which was attended by family members and loved ones of the recipients. This year's event marks a departure from the traditional format of the Kennedy Center Honors, with President Trump hosting the ceremony for the first time.
The show is set to air on December 23 on CBS and Paramount+. The honorees will also receive their awards at an upcoming gala event, which takes place later this month.
did they rehearse or something? And who are these honorees btw? Sylvester Stallone is cool but George Strait isn't really my jam 
I mean I know some people love him and that's okay, I guess. But KISS being part of it? That's just wild...
meanwhile I'm kinda surprised that Trump isn't bringing his own drama to the party but overall it looks pretty chill
. Back in my day, we didn't need a bunch of pomp and circumstance to celebrate talented folks. A simple ceremony at the Opera House would've been just fine. But hey, I guess it's nice that he's bringing in some fresh faces this year...I mean, who wouldn't want to see Sylvester Stallone and Gloria Gaynor on stage together? 
It's gonna be a wild ride, folks!
. And what's up with the ceremony being in the Oval Office instead of the Opera House? It feels like a bit of a publicity stunt to me. Not that it's a bad thing, per se... just that it seems kinda staged. I'm curious to see how this all plays out on TV though - will it be cringeworthy or actually pretty cool? 
... unless you're George Strait, then isn't that your song too? 
. And what's with KISS getting honored? I mean, they're awesome and all, but are they even still together? 
. And Michael Crawford, he was in Cats, right? Wasn't that a total Broadway musical extravaganza? 
... or was it Oliver?! Ugh, my brain hurts now 
.
I gotta say, this is a major win for inclusivity! A sitting president hosting the Kennedy Center Honors? That's game-changing! I mean, we've had presidents give some pretty awkward speeches before, but Trump actually seemed to be having a blast up there 
. I'm loving this new twist on the traditional format too – who knows, maybe it'll become a thing for future presidents to host the ceremony? 
.
And Gloria Gaynor is a legend, you know? But what really caught my attention was Trump giving that speech and calling the group "the most accomplished" and all that jazz... it felt kinda awkward to me, like he's trying too hard to be all presidential and stuff. Anyway, can't wait to see the show on TV!