Key Point Summary – Kennedy Center Price Honors

• Trump names George Strait, Stallone, Gloria Gaynor, Kiss, and Michael Crawford as honorees
• President takes over as Kennedy Center chairman and fires board
• Plans major renovations, calls it a “crown jewel” of American arts
• Suggests renaming venue, hints at “Trump/Kennedy Center”
• Critics accuse him of politicizing the selection process
• Cuts “woke” artists from list, claims 98% involvement in choices
• Renovations tied to America’s 250th anniversary celebrations

A Political Encore at the Kennedy Center

President Donald Trump has taken center stage — literally — at the Kennedy Center, announcing a high-profile slate of honorees for what he’s now calling the Kennedy Center Price Honors. The names read like a mix of his personal playlist and pop culture royalty: George Strait, Sylvester Stallone, Gloria Gaynor, rock legends Kiss, and actor-singer Michael Crawford.

The announcement marks Trump’s first batch of selections as the newly self-appointed chairman of the Kennedy Center. It’s a role he seized with gusto, firing the previous board of trustees and installing loyalists. He also promised a “full renovation” of the venue to restore what he calls its “prestige and grandeur.”

Trump’s Makeover Mission

Trump insists the Kennedy Center will be a “crown jewel” of American arts by the time it plays a role in next year’s 250th anniversary of the nation. He claims he didn’t seek the hosting role for the awards show — but says he was invited and agreed.

The president hasn’t always been so cozy with the Kennedy Center. During his first term, he skipped the event altogether after several honorees threatened boycotts in protest of his policies. Now, his return comes with a hands-on approach that’s breaking decades of tradition.

Renovation Plans and Name Game

In a teasing Truth Social post, Trump joked about renaming the venue. “GREAT Nominees for the TRUMP/KENNEDY CENTER — whoops, I mean, KENNEDY CENTER,” he wrote. He vowed to bring it “back to the absolute TOP LEVEL of luxury, glamour, and entertainment.”

The Kennedy Center publicly thanked Trump for his involvement, crediting him for pushing long-needed repairs. He first blasted the building in March, calling it in “tremendous disrepair.”

Cutting the “Woke” List

Historically, honorees were chosen by a bipartisan advisory committee. Trump, however, admitted he personally handled “about 98%” of the decision-making this year, rejecting artists he considered “too woke” or too liberal. His picks — many of them personal favorites — fit his description of “great people.”

That’s a stark departure from past ceremonies where presidents honored artists regardless of politics. Under previous administrations, Republicans and Democrats alike celebrated cultural figures across ideological lines — from Barbra Streisand to Charlton Heston.

Long-Standing Grudges

Trump’s strained history with the Kennedy Center runs deep. In 2017, honoree Norman Lear announced he wouldn’t attend a White House reception in protest of Trump’s proposed arts funding cuts. Trump responded by skipping the event entirely. That year’s honorees included vocal Trump critics like Cher and Lin-Manuel Miranda.

Since returning to the presidency, Trump has tightened his grip over the institution — not only as chairman but by signaling he’ll influence programming choices. He’s vowed to stop drag performances and already seen fallout from his moves. In March, “Hamilton” producers canceled a planned 2026 run at the venue in protest.

Melania’s Opera House?

Trump’s allies in Congress are backing the makeover with legislative muscle. In July, House Republicans added an amendment to rename the Opera House after First Lady Melania Trump. That change hasn’t happened yet, but another proposal — to rename the entire center after Trump — has already drawn fiery opposition from the Kennedy family.

Maria Shriver, niece of President Kennedy, slammed the idea as “insane.”

Spotlight and Showdown Ahead

The Kennedy Center Price Honors will take place under a brighter — and more controversial — spotlight than ever before. With Trump’s sweeping changes, star-studded honoree list, and hints at a name change, the event is poised to be as much a political statement as a celebration of the arts.

Whether audiences tune in for the glitz or the drama, one thing is clear: the Kennedy Center has never had a host quite like Donald J. Trump.