President Donald Trump awarded medals to the 2025 Kennedy Center honorees in a ceremony held in the Oval Office on November 4, 2025. The recipients include notable figures such as actor Sylvester Stallone, singers Gloria Gaynor and George Strait, the renowned rock band Kiss, and actor-singer Michael Crawford. Trump hailed this year’s group as “perhaps the most accomplished and renowned class” of honorees ever assembled.
During his first term, Trump did not engage with the Kennedy Center or its prestigious honors program. Since returning to office in January, he has implemented significant changes, including replacing the board of trustees with supporters and taking on the role of chairman. He has also publicly criticized the center’s programming and its physical condition, pledging to revamp both aspects.
New Medals and Honors Ceremony
At the ceremony, Trump presented each honoree with a new medal designed and donated by Tiffany & Co.. The gold medallion features the Kennedy Center’s image and rainbow colors on one side, with the honoree’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 members of the White House press corps waited nearby, songs by honorees Gaynor and Kiss played in the Rose Garden outside the Oval Office. Trump noted that he was “about 98% involved” in the selection of the honorees, having personally announced their names at the Kennedy Center earlier in the year. Traditionally, recipients were announced through a press release, selected by a bipartisan committee.
Following the Oval Office event, Trump was scheduled to attend an annual State Department dinner for the honorees. In previous years, the medallions were presented during this dinner, but Trump opted to move the ceremony to the White House.
Upcoming Broadcast and Presidential Participation
The Kennedy Center Honors program, which features tribute performances for each recipient, will be recorded on November 5, 2025, for broadcast later in December on CBS and Paramount+. Trump is set to attend the program for the first time as president, accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump. While he indicated he would host the show, the White House has not clarified the extent of his involvement.
Trump’s remarks about hosting the event included a humorous exchange with his chief of staff, Susie Wiles, who encouraged him to take on the role despite his initial reluctance. “I’m the president of the United States. Are you fools asking me to do that?” Trump recalled saying before agreeing to host.
On the day prior to the Kennedy Center event, Trump spent several hours at the venue, 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.
