BY COMFORT OGBONNA
U.S. President Donald Trump further strengthened his control over Washington’s John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on Sunday as he personally hosted its flagship awards ceremony, blending presidential politics with a celebration of iconic figures in music, film, and theater.
This year’s Kennedy Center Honors—considered the highest national recognition for lifetime achievement in the performing arts—paid tribute to Hollywood action legend Sylvester Stallone, disco icon Gloria Gaynor, country music titan George Strait, celebrated “Phantom of the Opera” star Michael Crawford, and the rock band KISS.
Trump, who played an influential role in selecting this year’s honorees, chose not to attend the celebration during his first term. In his second, however, he has taken a far more hands-on approach. He dismissed the center’s former president, appointed a new board with himself as chair, and ordered an extensive renovation of the renowned institution.
Sunday’s ceremony made history as the first time a sitting U.S. president personally hosted the Kennedy Center Honors—an honor traditionally given to celebrities or cultural leaders rather than political figures.
Standing center stage before a receptive crowd, Trump declared, “The Kennedy Center is very special. We’re bringing this building back to life.” Throughout the evening, he and First Lady Melania Trump sat together as he introduced each act, with pre-recorded tributes to the honorees playing on large screens.
Many of the night’s honorees expressed appreciation for Trump’s involvement. Crawford, speaking to reporters, openly acknowledged the president’s support. KISS frontman Gene Simmons also weighed in, noting, “Whether you’re a fan of the president or not, he’s never boring.”
Trump did not dismiss the idea of having his name added to the Kennedy Center, suggesting that such a decision would rest with the board he now leads. He even referred to the venue as the “Trump Kennedy Center” during part of the evening. His name was added to the U.S. Institute of Peace building just last week.
A former real estate mogul whose name adorns properties across the country, Trump continues making his mark on both the White House and the Kennedy Center. His decision to demolish the White House East Wing to construct a 90,000-square-foot ballroom remains one of his most controversial architectural undertakings.
Meanwhile, Ric Grenell—the Kennedy Center’s new president and Trump’s former ambassador to Germany—has taken charge of the organization’s multimillion-dollar renovation and a sweeping revamp of its cultural programming. This includes hosting the 2026 World Cup draw, scheduled for Friday. Grenell’s leadership has triggered staff turnover and sparked concern within the arts community about the center’s direction.
During an Oval Office ceremony on Saturday, Trump presented the honorees with new gold medallions featuring blue ribbons, replacing the rainbow-colored ribbons that have symbolized the Honors since 1978. He lauded the recipients as “among the greatest artists, actors and performers of their generation,” highlighting their contributions to American entertainment and culture.
The show opened with a tribute to Stallone, celebrated for his iconic roles in “Rocky” and “Rambo.” Actor Kurt Russell honored Stallone onstage, while Trump noted their long-standing friendship. Crawford’s segment followed, featuring a powerful performance of “The Phantom of the Opera” and the stirring ballad “The Music of the Night.”
In George Strait’s honor, country stars Vince Gill, Miranda Lambert, and Brooks & Dunn performed several of his classic hits. Gloria Gaynor received a vibrant homage complete with disco lights as performers delivered her anthem “I Will Survive.”
The program concluded with a tribute to KISS, whose members—Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Ace Frehley, and Peter Criss—rocketed to fame in the 1970s. Frehley, who passed away in October, was remembered during the segment. Garth Brooks energized the crowd with “Shout It Out Loud,” while Cheap Trick closed the night with a lively rendition of “Rock and Roll All Nite.”
The 2024 Kennedy Center Honors will air on CBS on December 23, offering viewers nationwide a look at the historic evening.
Original article
Comments