Connect with us

POLITICS

Trump Hosts Kennedy Center Honors Recognizing Stallone, Kiss, Gaynor, Others

Published

on

President Donald Trump on Sunday hosted the Kennedy Center Honors and praised Sylvester Stallone, Kiss, Gloria Gaynor, Michael Crawford and George Strait, the slate of honorees he helped choose, as being “legendary in so many ways.”

“Billions and billions of people have watched them over the years,” Trump, the first president to command the stage, said to open the show.

The Republican president said the artists, recognized with tribute performances during the show, are “among the greatest artists and actors, performers, musicians, singers, songwriters ever to walk the face of the Earth.”

Since returning to office in January, Trump has made the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, which is named after a Democratic predecessor, a touchstone in a broader attack against what he has lambasted as “woke” anti-American culture.

Trump said Saturday that he was hosting “at the request of a certain television network.” He predicted the broadcast scheduled for Dec. 23 on CBS and Paramount+, would have its best ratings ever.

Before Trump, presidents watched the show alongside the honorees. Trump skipped the honors altogether during his first term.

Asked how he got ready for the gig, Trump said as he moved along the red carpet with his wife, first lady Melania Trump, that he “didn’t really prepare very much.”

“I have a good memory, so I can remember things, which is very fortunate,” the president said. “But just, I wanted to just be myself. You have to be yourself.”

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, one of several Cabinet secretaries attending the ceremony, said his boss “is so relaxed in front of these cameras, as you know, and so funny, I can’t wait for tonight.” Lutnick arrived with his wife, a member of the Kennedy Center’s board.

Trump appeared on stage three times to open and close the show, and after intermission. He

After returning from intermission, Trump said he’d toured some of the construction projects he has launched to renovate the performing arts center. And he said it was a “fantastic” night.

“Well, we’re really having a good time tonight,” Trump said. “So many people I know in this audience. Some good. Some bad. Some I truly love and respect. Some I just hate.”

Since 1978, the honors have recognized stars for their influence on American culture and the arts. Members of this year’s class are pop-culture standouts, including Stallone for his “Rocky” and “Rambo” movies, Gaynor for her “I Will Survive” feminist anthem and Kiss for its flashy, cartoonish makeup and onstage displays of smoke and pyrotechnics.

Strait is a leader in the world of country music and Crawford, a Tony Award-winning actor, is best known for starring in “Phantom of the Opera,” the longest-running show in Broadway history.

Trump said persistence is a trait shared by the honorees, several of whom had humble beginnings.

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

NFL8 hours ago

🔥 From raising four girls to reporting from the Olympic ice… Kylie Kelce’s next chapter is straight out of a movie. A simple message she sent during the Paris Games has now landed her a dream role at Milan-Cortina 2026 — and NBC is even teasing that Jason might be “tagging along.” This isn’t just content creation. It’s a family love story written on the world’s biggest stage. ❄️💙 👇 Full story bellow👇

NEWS4 days ago

A significant step in animal protection has captured nationwide attention as senior officials announced the creation of a new federal strike force aimed at tackling the most serious cases of animal cruelty 🐾🇺🇸. Officials from the Trump administration outlined a coordinated, nationwide initiative targeting crimes including dogfighting, abusive puppy mills, and harmful animal testing. The plan involves assigning dedicated U.S. attorneys in every state to ensure these cases are treated as high-priority rather than being overlooked.. #fblifestyle

NFL4 days ago

🔥 JASON KELCE SPEAKS OUT: Jason Kelce Defends His Brother Travis Kelce After the Loss — “This Isn’t Just Criticism. It’s an Insult to Football.” Jason Kelce broke his silence with a raw, emotional message, calling out the backlash aimed at Travis after the loss to the Raiders. He reminded fans that his brother has carried the offense for years, played through pain, and never made excuses —

NFL5 days ago

🔥 SHOCKING NFL LUXURY REVEALED: Kansas City Chiefs Owner Clark Hunt Quietly Spends a Staggering $500 MILLION on a Futuristic Superyacht Named After His Wife — From Three Infinity Pools and a Helipad to a Cryo Chamber Used by Elite Athletes, “Lady Tavia Shackles” Is Being Called the Ultimate Billionaire Statement You Have to See to Believe 🛥️💎 🔥READ FULL STORY

NEWS7 days ago

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has announced that it will withhold $40.6 million in federal funding from California, citing the state’s failure to fully enforce a rule requiring commercial truck drivers to demonstrate English proficiency. According to federal law, truck drivers must be able to read road signs, respond to official inquiries, and complete paperwork in English. The DOT argues that California’s existing licensing system does not adequately ensure that all drivers meet these requirements. In response, California officials assert that their system already complies with federal standards. This penalty affects California’s ability to receive reimbursements for truck safety programs, including inspections and enforcement activities, under the Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program.

NEWS1 week ago

Newsom Defies Federal Law: California Risks $160 Million in Federal Funds Over Trucking Licenses California Governor Gavin Newsom is facing a showdown with federal authorities after the state DMV unilaterally extended the deadline for revoking 17,000 commercial driver’s licenses held by foreign nationals. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy blasted the extension as illegal, warning that if California doesn’t revoke the licenses by January 5, it could lose nearly $160 million in vital federal highway funds. As Newsom continues to push policies that defy federal laws, Californians may soon pay the price, with federal funds at risk and public safety concerns growing. This is just another example of Newsom’s reckless governance putting the state in jeopardy.

NEWS1 week ago

UKRAINE 2022. VENEZUELA 2026. Elon Musk Once Again Deploys Starlink as Conflict Shuts Down a Nation 🧠 Is tech neutrality officially dead? Read and decide

NEWS1 week ago

VENEZUELA GOES DARK — STARLINK GOES LIVE: Musk Confirms Free Internet Amid Power Cuts and Political Upheaval 🔥 Lifeline or leverage? The debate is exploding — join it

NEWS1 week ago

UNPRECEDENTED MOVE: Allies Turn on America as Trump’s Venezuela Operation Triggers Article 5 Fallout 📌 What happens when the world’s strongest alliance fractures? Read now

NEWS1 week ago

“We have taken in, and will soon be receiving, more than 600 Billion Dollars in Tariffs, but the Fake News Media refuses to talk about it because they hate and disrespect our Country… our Country is financially, AND FROM A NATIONAL SECURITY STANDPOINT, FAR STRONGER AND MORE RESPECTED THAN EVER BEFORE.” – President Donald J. Trump 🇺🇸

NEWS1 week ago

Dear Mr President Donald J. Trump Donald J. Trump We the People of the United States demand the arrest of Hakeem Jeffries for treason. His actions by contacting Venezuela even though it was too late could have cost the lives of our men and women that were involved in this mission. By law this is treason when you turn on your government. ARREST HIM ASAP!!!!!

NEWS2 weeks ago

“WORLD STUNNED: President Trump Declares ‘Peace on Earth’ as Official New Year’s Resolution—Insiders Claim Secret Global Ceasefire Talks, Military Stand-Down Orders, and a Radical ‘America First, World Peace Always’ Doctrine Are Already Underway”

Copyright © 2025 USAvarieti