WASHINGTON – President Trump on Saturday awarded the 2025 Kennedy Center Honors medals to a group of artists including singer Gloria Gaynor, actor Sylvester Stallone, country music star George Strait, and the rock band KISS. The ceremony, traditionally held at the Kennedy Center, was moved by the President to the White House.
“We have the disco queen, and she was indeed, and nobody did it like Gloria Gaynor,” Trump said of Gaynor. He described Stallone as a “splendid” and “spectacular” person, “one of the true, great movie stars” and “one of the great legends.” KISS was lauded as an “astonishing rock band.”
Songs by Gaynor and KISS were played in the Rose garden as the White House press corps awaited the ceremony. The 2025 honorees were personally announced by Mr. Trump in August, marking the first slate chosen under his leadership. Traditionally, the honorees are announced via press release, following a selection by a bipartisan committee.
“These are among the greatest artists, actors and performers of their generation. The greatest that we’ve seen,” Trump stated. “Each of you has made an indelible mark on American life and together you have defined entire genres and set new standards for the performing arts.”
The President also attended an annual State Department dinner for the honorees Saturday evening. The Kennedy Center Honors program, featuring tribute speeches and performances, will be taped on Sunday at the performing arts center for broadcast later in December on CBS and Paramount+. Mr.trump, accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump, is scheduled to attend the program for the first time as president, and will be the first president to serve as host. He predicted the broadcast would achieve its highest ratings ever.
