Washington, D.C. — President Donald Trump on Sunday, December 7, 2025, presided over a special Oval Office ceremony to award the 2025 Kennedy Center Honors, personally president Donald Trump presented medals to an all-star lineup led by Hollywood legend Sylvester Stallone and country music icon George Strait. The Kennedy Center Honors are prestigious awards given every year in the United States to individuals in the performing arts for their lifetime contributions to American culture. Trump presenting a medal to Sylvester Stallone. George Strait Receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom

Washington, D.C.

— President Donald Trump on Sunday, December 7, 2025, presided over a special Oval Office ceremony to award the 2025 Kennedy Center Honors, personally president Donald Trump presented medals to an all-star lineup led by Hollywood legend Sylvester Stallone and country music icon George Strait. The Kennedy Center Honors are prestigious awards given every year in the United States to individuals in the performing arts for their lifetime contributions to American culture.

Trump presenting a medal to Sylvester Stallone.

George Strait Receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom

The event marked a notable break from long-standing tradition. Instead of the classic rainbow-colored ribbons, honorees received newly designed gold-and-navy medallions crafted by Tiffany & Co.—one of several stylistic changes introduced under Trump’s renewed leadership. The president also revealed that he played an unusually direct role in the selection process, saying he was “about 98% involved,” diverging from the typical independent committee approach. This year’s honorees included:

  • Sylvester Stallone, Hollywood action star and cultural icon

  • George Strait, one of country music’s most decorated performers

  • Gloria Gaynor, disco pioneer known for the classic hit I Will Survive

  • KISS, the legendary rock band celebrated for its theatrical legacy

  • Michael Crawford, award-winning stage performer best known for The Phantom of the Opera

Gloria Gaynor express her joy after receiving the Medal of Freedom..

Trump described the group as “one of the most accomplished classes in the history of the Honors,” praising their lasting influence across film, music, theater, and global pop culture. In another major shift, the traditional gala venue was replaced with an intimate Oval Office presentation, with Trump personally placing each medal on the recipients. The move signifies one of the most hands-on presidential involvements with the Honors in recent years,   especially following Trump’s earlier distancing from the annual festivities during his prior term.

The Kennedy Center itself has undergone several internal adjustments since Trump’s return to office, including leadership restructures and upcoming renovation plans. While the honorees were widely praised as globally recognized fan favorites, some critics pointed out the absence of classical musicians, jazz artists, and dancers—categories historically prominent in the Honors lineup. Supporters, however, argue that the 2025 selections represent a mainstream, high-impact group whose work has defined generations of American entertainment.

President Trump and TV host Jimmy Kimmel at a high-profile event, capturing a moment of influence and conversation between politics and entertainment

The ceremony will air nationally later this month, with networks anticipating strong viewership fueled by Hollywood nostalgia, music royalty, and Trump’s unusually prominent role in the proceedings.

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