By Ginika Igboke
The 2025 Kennedy Center Honors ceremony, hosted earlier this month by President Donald Trump, is now available to stream on CBS and Paramount+.
Trump announced in a Truth Social post that the broadcast would begin at 8 p.m. ET on Dec. 23. The event was held on Dec. 7 and marked the first time in the nearly 50-year history of the Kennedy Center Honors that a sitting or former president served as master of ceremonies.
“A very big hello and welcome to a very special evening, and one of the most important evenings in the American cultural realm,” Trump said in his opening remarks. “This is something going to be very special, and the Kennedy Center is very special, and we’re bringing this building back to life like nobody ever thought was even possible.”
In a separate Truth Social post issued hours before the broadcast, Trump joked about a potential career change.
“THE TRUMP KENNEDY CENTER HONORS will be broadcast tonight, on CBS, and stream on Paramount+,” he wrote. “Tell me what you think of my ‘Master of Ceremony’ abilities. If really good, would you like me to leave the Presidency in order to make ‘hosting’ a full time job?”
Since its launch in 1978, the annual ceremony has honored individuals who have made significant contributions to American culture and the arts.
This year’s honorees included actor Sylvester Stallone for his roles in the “Rocky” and “Rambo” franchises, singer Gloria Gaynor for her hit “I Will Survive,” rock band KISS, country music artist George Strait, and Tony Award-winning actor Michael Crawford. Trump described the recipients on Truth Social as “true GREATS in the History of Entertainment.”
The two-and-a-half-hour special premiered just days after the Kennedy Center’s board voted to rename the complex the Trump–Kennedy Center, with initial steps already underway to update signage.
Trump was selected to host the ceremony by the Kennedy Center’s board, which also chose the 2025 honorees.
Speaking to reporters on the red carpet ahead of the Dec. 7 event, Trump said he did not prepare extensively for the role.
“I didn’t really prepare very much,” he said. “I have a good memory, so I can remember things, which is very fortunate. But I just wanted to be myself. You have to be yourself. Johnny Carson, he was himself.”
Trump was invited to host the ceremony after the board was fully replaced with members more aligned with the administration’s priorities. He has also said he was directly involved in selecting this year’s honorees.
The president has previously spoken about his close relationship with Stallone, who was recently named a “Hollywood Special Ambassador.”
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