Speaking at the Kennedy Center on Wednesday morning, President Donald Trump announced the artists who will be honored at the 2025 Kennedy Center Honors — and that he will be hosting the event.
Trump announced Sylvester Stallone, KISS, George Strait, Gloria Gaynor, and Michael Crawford as Kennedy Center honorees.
Trump said he was initially reluctant when asked to host. “Are you fools asking me to do that?” he recalled saying. Told it would mean “much higher ratings,” he replied, “I don’t care. I’m President of the United States. I won’t do it,” he said, jokingly.
He said it was White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles who persuaded him. “Okay, Susie, I’ll do it,” he recalled telling her. “That’s the power she’s got.”
Watch the clip below:
🚨 @POTUS announces that he will be hosting the 2025 Kennedy Center Honors later this year in Washington, D.C. pic.twitter.com/IcHUjX40F8
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) August 13, 2025
🚨NOW — @POTUS announces George Strait, Sylvester Stallone, Michael Crawford, Gloria Gaynor, and KISS as Kennedy Center Honorees.
👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/jqTU1GgOve
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) August 13, 2025
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