President Donald Trump awarded medals to the 2025 Kennedy Center honorees during a ceremony held in the Oval Office on Saturday, recognizing a group he described as “perhaps the most accomplished and renowned class” ever. The recipients include notable figures such as actor Sylvester Stallone, singers Gloria Gaynor and George Strait, the iconic rock band Kiss, and actor-singer Michael Crawford.
This event marked a notable shift for Trump, who had previously overlooked the Kennedy Center and its prestigious awards program during his initial term in office. Since returning to the presidency in January, he has enacted several changes, including the removal of the previous board of trustees, replacing them with supporters from the Republican Party. This board now includes members who voted Trump in as chairman.
Medal Presentation and Changes to the Honors Program
During the ceremony, Trump presented each honoree with a newly designed medal, created and donated by Tiffany & Co.. The gold disc, which features the Kennedy Center’s image and a vibrant color scheme on one side, displays the recipient’s name and the date of the ceremony on the reverse. This new design replaces the previous large rainbow ribbon adorned with three gold plates.
As songs by honorees Gaynor and Kiss played in the nearby Rose Garden, members of the White House press corps awaited their opportunity to cover the event. Trump stated in August that he was “about 98% involved” in selecting the 2025 honorees, breaking from tradition where announcements were typically made via press release. Previously, a bipartisan selection committee managed this process.
Later on Saturday, following the Oval Office ceremony, Trump was scheduled to attend an annual State Department dinner honoring the recipients. In past years, the presentation of medallions occurred during this dinner, but Trump has shifted the ceremony to the White House.
Upcoming Kennedy Center Honors and Presidential Participation
The Kennedy Center Honors program, a highly anticipated event featuring tribute performances for each recipient, will be taped on Sunday and broadcast later in December on CBS and Paramount+. This will be the first time Trump attends the program as president, accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump. Although Trump initially indicated he would host the event, the White House has not clarified the extent of his involvement. Tradition holds that presidents attend the program but do not serve as hosts.
“I’ve been asked to host. I said, ‘I’m the president of the United States. Are you fools asking me to do that?’” Trump remarked, recounting the conversation with his chief of staff, Susie Wiles, who convinced him to take on the role.
On Friday, Trump spent several hours at the Kennedy Center, participating in the FIFA World Cup draw for 2026 and accepting its inaugural peace prize. He also met with the leaders of Canada and Mexico during this visit, highlighting a busy schedule as he engages with prominent figures in various sectors.
As the Kennedy Center prepares for its annual honors, the changes implemented under Trump’s leadership reflect a significant shift in how this prestigious program is managed and celebrated.
