Trump Reveals Kennedy Center Honors Recipients: KISS, Sylvester Stallone, George Strait, Gloria Gaynor, Michael Crawford

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As a movie enthusiast, I’m excited to share that this piece is an excerpt from The D.C. Brief, a political newsletter by TIME. If you’d like to receive more articles like this delivered straight to your inbox, be sure to sign up right here!

During his inaugural tenure as the head of the Kennedy Center, President Donald Trump opted to recognize notable figures in music by honoring Gloria Gaynor (the Queen of Disco), George Strait (the King of Country Music), Michael Crawford (the original Phantom of the Opera), Sylvester Stallone (creator of Rocky), and a pioneer of glam-metal. This selection underscores another instance of President Trump exerting his influence on the landscape of American culture.

On Wednesday, Trump visited an arts complex to announce his selections, which are usually considered non-political but have recently been influenced by Trump’s scope. The President stated that this group will be recognized by the legacy organization in December and that he will be hosting a high-profile event, which is the center’s most significant single night of the year.

Trump stated, “I don’t want to politicize this. The Academy Awards became political and suffered as a result. They might accuse me of doing the same, but if we approach it from our perspective, I believe it could be beneficial for us. Let’s see how it unfolds.” Trump, who used to host his own reality show and continues to be fascinated by ratings, polls, and celebrities, made this remark.

As a die-hard movie fan, I’d say it like this: Stepping into the spotlight, Trump makes no secret of his ambitions to leave an indelible mark on the upcoming chapter of America’s history. This significant period coincides with our nation celebrating its 250th anniversary and taking on the prestigious roles of Olympic and World Cup host nations, all happening next year!

As a devoted cinephile, I must share that earlier this year, I found myself witnessing an intriguing turn of events at the Kennedy Center. In what felt like a dramatic shift, the president made the decision to dismiss the board, chairman, and daily management of the center. His replacement choices were individuals known for their loyalty to him, who subsequently bestowed upon him the esteemed title of chair of our nation’s sacred sanctuary of performing arts.

Following this unexpected change, a wave of resistance swept through the artistic community. Performers began canceling performances in protest, and some influential partners in the arts resigned their advisory roles at the center. The cancellation of events, such as those surrounding World Pride, even led to the curtains closing before opening night. It’s indeed an interesting time for art and politics to intertwine in such a captivating dance.

The outcome, often viewed as a respectful homage to the 35th President that could garner bipartisan approval, has lately become another battleground in Donald Trump’s continuous series of culture wars. In fact, he has proposed rebranding the Potomac complex as the “Kennedy/Trump Center,” given that both the President and Vice President J.D. Vance have large portraits displayed at the entrance, together with their wives’. On the other hand, House Republicans have suggested renaming the Opera House after First Lady Melania Trump.

In 2024, the esteemed Kennedy Center Honors were bestowed upon a variety of notable figures, including director Francis Ford Coppola, jazz virtuoso Arturo Sandoval, and talented singer-songwriter Bonnie Raitt. Additionally, the iconic Harlem theater, The Apollo, received recognition for its significant contributions to the arts.

This is a breaking news story and will be updated.

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2025-08-13 20:06