President Donald Trump arrived at the Kennedy Center on Wednesday, where the annual award recipients were set to be unveiled. This marks a notable shift as he steps into his new role as chairman, hinting at upcoming renovations for the iconic venue.
During his first term, Trump notably skipped the Kennedy Center Honors after artists announced they would boycott the event in protest. However, this year, he has taken a more hands-on approach, replacing the board of trustees with loyal supporters.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump suggested a potential name change for the center, formally known as the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. He expressed intentions to restore it to its former glory, stating, “GREAT Nominees for the TRUMP/KENNEDY CENTER, whoops, I mean, KENNEDY CENTER, AWARDS.” He emphasized ongoing work aimed at elevating the venue to “the absolute TOP LEVEL of luxury, glamour, and entertainment.”
The Kennedy Center acknowledged Trump's visit on social media, expressing honor in hosting him for the third time since January. They hinted at a construction project that would enhance the building's prestige. “Thanks to his advocacy, our beautiful building will undergo renovations to restore its prestige and grandeur,” they stated.
Trump previously criticized the center's condition during a March visit, describing it as being in “tremendous disrepair.” The selection process for this year’s honorees remains unclear, although Trump has indicated a desire for a more active role in these decisions.
Traditionally, a bipartisan advisory committee selects honorees from a diverse pool of artists, including figures like George Balanchine and Aretha Franklin. A request for clarification on this year's selection process went unanswered by the Kennedy Center press office.
On social media, the Kennedy Center teased an intriguing lineup: “Coming Soon … A country music icon, an Englishman, a New York City Rock band, a dance Queen and a multi-billion dollar Actor walk into the Kennedy Center Opera House …”
Trump has previously mentioned potential honorees such as singer-songwriter Paul Anka and actor Sylvester Stallone. Anka was slated to perform “My Way” at Trump’s inaugural but withdrew at the last moment.
The Kennedy Center Honors have been awarded since 1978 to a wide array of artists. Historically, presidents from both major parties have attended the ceremony, even when political disagreements existed with honorees.
Notable figures like Barbra Streisand were honored during George W. Bush's presidency, while Charlton Heston received accolades during Bill Clinton's administration. In 2017, after honoree Norman Lear opted out of a White House celebration due to Trump's proposed arts funding cuts, both Trump and First Lady Melania Trump chose to skip the Kennedy Center event throughout his first term.
During that period, several critics of Trump received honors, including Cher and Lin-Manuel Miranda. Since resuming office, Trump has adopted a more assertive stance regarding the Kennedy Center's governance, asserting control over programming decisions and vowing to eliminate events featuring drag performers.
This assertiveness has drawn backlash from various artists. In March, producers of “Hamilton” withdrew from staging the musical in 2026 due to Trump's leadership changes. Other artists like Issa Rae and Rhiannon Giddens also canceled events in response.
In July, House Republicans included an amendment in a spending bill signed by Trump to rename the Kennedy Center’s Opera House after Melania Trump; however, this renaming has yet to occur. Maria Shriver, niece of President Kennedy, criticized a separate proposal to rename the entire center after Trump as “insane.”
Honorees receive a medallion on a rainbow ribbon symbolizing the diversity of skills within the performing arts. Recently, the center changed its exterior lighting from rainbow colors to a permanent red, white, and blue display.
