Wed Dec 24 01:00:00 UTC 2025: Summary:

The 2025 Kennedy Center Honors, a celebration of performing arts icons, will be broadcast tonight on CBS and Paramount+. This year’s event marks a significant shift, with President Trump’s administration having restructured the Kennedy Center’s leadership and renaming it the Trump-Kennedy Center. Trump also hosted the ceremony, breaking from tradition. The honorees include country music legend George Strait, disco icon Gloria Gaynor, rock band KISS (posthumously for Ace Frehley), musical theatre star Michael Crawford, and actor Sylvester Stallone. In another break from tradition, honorees received gold medallions designed by Tiffany and Co. instead of the typical rainbow colored ribbons.

News Article:

Trump Era Kennedy Center Honors to Air Tonight Amidst Controversy

WASHINGTON, D.C. – December 23, 2025 – The 2025 Kennedy Center Honors will air tonight at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CBS and Paramount+, but the annual celebration of performing arts excellence is shrouded in controversy following sweeping changes implemented by President Trump’s administration.

Earlier this year, the administration ousted the Kennedy Center’s board of trustees and president, replacing them with President Trump and ally Richard Grenell. Last week, the White House announced the institution’s name change to the Trump-Kennedy Center.

Tonight’s broadcast, recorded earlier this month, marks President Trump’s first appearance at the event in his two terms in office. He also hosted the celebration, a departure from tradition where presidents would sit with the honorees and watch the show.

The honorees for this year’s event are:
* George Strait: The “King of Country Music” known for hits like “All My Ex’s Live in Texas.”
* Gloria Gaynor: The disco queen whose anthem “I Will Survive” continues to empower.
* KISS: The iconic rock band, receiving the honor posthumously for original lead guitarist Ace Frehley.
* Michael Crawford: The famed Phantom of the Opera.
* Sylvester Stallone: The actor and writer behind the classic film Rocky.

In another deviation from past traditions, the Kennedy Center Honors has introduced a new gold medallion designed by Tiffany and Co. to replace the traditional rainbow colored ribbons.

Read More