President Donald Trump hosted the Kennedy Center Honors on Sunday, marking the first time a sitting president has served as master of ceremonies for the prestigious awards. Trump claimed the event was receiving “rave reviews” even before it concluded, joking about renaming the venue the “Trump-Kennedy Center.”
The ceremony, which recognises lifetime achievement in the performing arts, featured honourees including Sylvester Stallone, Michael Crawford, George Strait, Gloria Gaynor, and the rock band Kiss. Trump, who took control of the Kennedy Center in February, said he was deeply involved in selecting the recipients from a list of about 50 names.
In his remarks, Trump praised the honourees for their persistence, referencing Stallone’s Rocky character. He also made light-hearted comments about the audience, saying, “Some good. Some bad. Some I truly love and respect. Some I just hate.” The event included performances by Kurt Russell, Vince Gill, Miranda Lambert, and Garth Brooks, among others.
The evening began with Trump entering to the Rocky theme music, greeted by cheers and applause from an audience that appeared less racially diverse than in previous years. The president’s involvement underscores his broader effort to reshape America’s cultural landscape since returning to office in January.
