Legendary British actor Michael Crawford has offered a rare glimpse into Donald Trump's off-camera personality, following a ceremony where the former US President awarded him one of America's highest cultural accolades.
An Oval Office Honour for a Stage Icon
The incident occurred last week during a presentation at the Oval Office. Michael Crawford, the celebrated star of Phantom of the Opera and Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em, was among the recipients of the 2025 Kennedy Centre medals. He received the honour for his contributions to American arts over a career spanning six decades.
The Wiltshire-born performer, who originated the role of the Phantom in Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical from 1986, was recognised alongside an illustrious group. This included rock band Kiss, country singer George Strait, disco icon Gloria Gaynor, and actor Sylvester Stallone. Trump personally selected the award winners after replacing the centre's previous board, a move that has reportedly caused controversy in Washington's arts scene.
'He Turned Harder' for the Press
While Trump publicly praised Crawford as a "generational talent" and claimed to have been present for his 1967 Broadway debut, the actor's account of the private moments is particularly revealing. Speaking to The Times, Crawford described the President and his team as "good company" but noted a distinct shift in demeanour when media entered the room.
"They were very lighthearted," Crawford recalled. "The press come in and he turned harder, and then when the press leave the room again he was back to..." The actor then recounted a playful exchange between Trump and fellow honouree Sylvester Stallone. The former President was squirting cologne on Stallone's face, prompting the actor to joke, 'I'm blind, I'm blind!'
Scepticism and Restructuring at the Kennedy Centre
Crawford also expressed polite scepticism about one of Trump's specific claims. The former President stated he had Phantom of the Opera "on tape from every different angle," a assertion the star finds dubious as the production was never fully recorded. "Maybe Trump's got an illegal tape. I think we should follow up on that, and good luck with the legal action," Crawford quipped.
This year's ceremony was part of a wider restructuring of the Kennedy Centre, which has become a personal project for Trump. His decision to install himself as chairman has provoked significant fury within the arts community. Reports from The Washington Post indicate that ticket sales for the centre have plummeted following this controversial move.
Despite the political backdrop, Crawford's recollection provides a humanising, if brief, snapshot of an event that blended high art with high-stakes politics, revealing the contrasting personas of a former world leader when the cameras stop rolling.
